Scott McTominay scored an 86th minute bullet header to stun Aston Villa and move United within touching distance of the top 4.
Villa were the better team for large parts of the match, particularly the second half, but United hung in and took their chance – 3 bits of quality from Mainoo, Dalot and McTominay and the ball was in the back of the net.
Manager Erik Ten Hag praised McTominay and felt United showed great belief and exerted control in the first 20 minutes or so, but lamented some of the decision-making that led to plenty of Villa chances:
“[Scott McTominay] this season, last season as well – he’s an example for many other players nowadays. He is ready for every minute, always contributing to the team. In the week when in training, he always gives his max and he’s always ready for 1 minute or 90 minutes, and it’s great to have such a player.
We have seen today that the first 20 minutes were very good but then we gave away the initiative, which was unnecessary….we need to make better decisions on the ball, and not always just attack and go for goal. I know we can defend deep, but we [let them equalise], but the spirit is there – we kept the belief and got the win, so we are very pleased.
We can beat any opponent away or home, but away we need to believe it more. We could have beat Arsenal and Liverpool [away], but today the team had belief that we could win the game.”
Ten Hag after the game
winning on the back foot
One thing United have rightly been lamented for under Erik Ten Hag is our inability to beat the bigger teams away from home.
There have been good away performances, such as the aforementioned Arsenal and Liverpool games this season, but getting three points has been United’s issue. Top teams don’t always play well – but they find ways to win.
Regardless of the stats, last night United found a way to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park, and for that, both the team and the manager should be given credit
a fast start, Heroic defending but a lack of control
United’s first half back 5 of Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire and Luke Shaw all deserve credit for their respective performances. Luke Shaw was brought off as a precaution at half time for Victor Lindelof, who didn’t cover himself in glory, but is playing out of position in fairness.
For the first 20-25 minutes or so, United were dominant, establishing a 1-0 lead through Rasmus Hojlund’s fifth goal in as many games. Villa came back into the game before half time but United were good value for their lead.
After half time however, Villa started to get on top. Casemiro still doesn’t seem fully fit after his injury and although he made plenty of blocks and tackles in the second half, still looked slightly off the pace and not able to give the back 4 the protection they needed.
This led to United starting to get overran towards the end of the game, with Villa creating a slew of chances.
It was dogged tackling, blocking and some excellent saves that kept us in the game and gave us a chance of snatching all 3 points. But this lack of control will be of concern for Erik Ten Hag.
Will Casemiro ever regain his best form and fitness? Sofyan Amrabat has failed to really impress since signing and Scott McTominay is better going forward than he is at controlling games. Bruno Fernandes is a high risk/high reward type player and Kobbie Mainoo is still only 18. Controlling the midfield and managing games against bigger teams is something Ten Hag needs to address.
player ratings & motm
Onana – 7. Made some big saves and generally handled well. Kicking was a little suspect at times and occasionally invited pressure.
Dalot – 8 & MOTM. Great defensively – tackles, blocks, jockeying to slow down attacks – he did it all. Was less involved in attacks but put in a peach of a first-time cross for McTominay’s winner.
Maguire – 8. Could have also been named MOTM – made plenty of blocks and tackles, and also set up Rasmus Hojlund’s opener.
Varane – 7.5. Similarly committed – had to quite a lot of last-ditch defending
Luke Shaw – 6.5. Had a tough task against Leon Bailey but stuck to his guns in the first half, although didn’t get forward as much as he would have liked. Brought off at half time as a precaution.
Casemiro – 5. Started well but faded and ceded midfield control to Villa. Still doesn’t look to have fully recovered after his long layoff.
Mainoo – 6.5. Mostly dealt with the pressure well and produced a lovely run and piece of skill to set up Dalot’s cross for the winner. Not quite as effective as some recent outings but still – surely one of the best 18 year olds in world football at the minute.
Fernandes – 6. Played in his usual swashbuckling style and had a hand in the first goal as he so often does. Faded as Villa started to dominate but worked hard off the balll.
Garnacho – 6.5. Equal parts brilliant and frustrating. Is blessed with bags of talent and pace but end product and decision-making often lacking. You could have said the same about a young Cristiano Ronaldo, and he ended up doing OK.
Rashford – 6. Got the better of Matt Cash on several occasions but again, end product wasn’t quite there. Still has a few gears to go up but looks generally better than some of the horror performances of earlier this season.
Hojlund – 7.5. Unquestionable work rate and a poacher’s goal. Rasmus is now the second youngest player to score in 5 consecutive PL games, only trailing Nicolas Anelka.
Subs:
Lindelof – 4 (on for Shaw at half time). A poor showing. Erratic and looked like a fish out of water at left back. In fairness to the Swede though, as a right-footed centre half, that’s exactly what he is.
McTominay – 7.5 (on for Rashford on 73′). McTominay is now United’s top scorer in the league. He brought his signature energetic and combative style but this game will be remembered for one special moment: his bullet header back across Emi Martinez for United’s winner. Bonus points for shushing the home fans and jumping into the crowd.
Amrabat (on for Mainoo on ’92) – N/A
Evans (on for Hojlund on 92) – N/A.
top 4 in sight but more tough tests ahead
United have had a torrid season so far, and top 4 is our realistic goal now with perhaps a deep FA Cup run. It does seem to be clicking for Ten Hag’s Reds in recent weeks though, and if we can get back in the CL, add a few players and build for next season, that would be seen as a positive given our start to the campaign.
United have a tricky away test at Luton next week, with City away just around the corner too. It’s time to build on the performance and elation of yesterday and carry on hunting down those teams in the CL spots.
