Aston Villa’s failure to qualify for the Champions League came down to yet another controversial decision as Manchester United came out winners on the final day of the Premier League season.
Morgan Rogers thought he had broken the deadlock with 73 minutes gone when Altay Bayindir dropped the ball ineptly inside his box but, having blown his whistle before the ball went into the net, referee Thomas Bramall ruled the goal out.
A further review from VAR didn’t see any necessary changes as Unai Emery stood on the sidelines aghast.
At that point, Villa’s hopes of Champions League football were made much slimmer despite Newcastle United falling behind to Everton, and Amad Diallo then went up the other end and scored a header to deepen Villa’s worries.
It wasn’t until 85 minutes that the visitors’ exit from the Premier League top five was confirmed when Christian Eriksen, leaving United at the end of the season, scored from the penalty spot to double the advantage.
Emiliano Martinez was sent off earlier in the clash when he collided with Rasmus Hojlund outside the area, which certainly didn’t help Villa’s cause.
Story of the match
Villa’s hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League were reliant on multiple fixtures across the top flight on the final day but more so on their own performance at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The visitors thought they had scored the all-important goal after 73 minutes when Rogers snatched the ball off Bayindir inside the box and finished into the open net.
But referee Bramall had already blown his whistle to stop the play and despite the VAR review, the goal was wiped off.
United were quick to react and didn’t only avoid losing a fourth game in a row for the first time since 1979, but scored just three minutes after that controversy.
Bruno Fernandes had crossed perfectly towards the back post where Diallo met it with a perfect header to give United a late lead.
Matters were made worse for Villa and Emery when referee Bramall pointed to the spot in the 85th minute, to which Eriksen netted on his last game for the club.
United had conceded the opening goal in 31 games this season and thought they had prevented that statistic from being extended when Hojlund scored after 50 minutes.
A Fernandes corner was met by Casemiro and steered to Hojlund on the edge of the six-yard box before he poked it into the back of the net, but a VAR decision found the forward’s heel to be offside.
Amad scores header after 76 minutes (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Amad scores header after 76 minutes (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Hojlund’s talent, or lack of, has been the cause for many of United’s problems this season but he made a positive impact when he drew Martinez into a foul which earned the goalkeeper a red card.
Matty Cash submitted a terrible back pass and Hojlund was first to the ball before taking a heavy touch past Martinez, before he took the forward out without hesitation.
Amorim posed a side that was devoid of many players who have played for large parts of this poor campaign including Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho and Luke Shaw.
And although the United manager spoke of selection ahead of kick-off, it poses the thought that he may be thinking ahead to how his squad will look after offloading players in the summer.
Whatever the reason, the hosts looked reinvigorated given a recent Europa League final loss and were on the front foot for the entirety of the first period.
Noussair Mazraoui was forced off with a hamstring injury when he lunged in on Ian Maatsen, but Diogo Dalot’s introduction, which soon ended when he was subbed after the interval too, caused even more problems for Villa.
The full-back was supplied by Harry Maguire, who had produced a wonderful turn that emulated his Ronaldinho-esque performance against Athletic Club at the start of the month, before he smashed a right-footed shot against Martinez’s right-hand post.
That wasn’t all for United’s misfortune either as they hit the post again when Casemiro tried to bend a close effort into the top-right corner, clipping the frame of the goal to mount the pressure on Villa.
Even before that chance, United’s endeavour to end the season positively nearly transpired after four minutes when Martinez denied Mason Mount from close range; he also caught a header from the midfielder just seconds later.
Who else but Bruno Fernandes? The midfielder was the creator once again in one of the most entertaining fixtures of the season.
Not only did he create plenty of chances in the opening half, he also assisted Amad Diallo's goal just three minutes after the controversial goal scored by Morgan Rogers beforehand.
Amongst the rumours of offloading and bringing new players in, it's certain that keeping Fernandes content at United is, and should be, the priority for Ruben Amorim.