Manchester United took a huge leap towards securing UCL qualification next season with a thrilling second half for a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa.
The first half was a close but not quite close enough scenario for Man Utd as they fashioned some good chances, only to let themselves down in the final third while repelling the odd Villa threat.
The deadlock was broken in expected fashion for Man Utd, with Bruno Fernandes assisting Casemiro off a corner in the second half to give United the lead.
United took their foot off the pedal after scoring, and were punished by Villa equalising soon after with their first shot on target of the game.
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Cunha hit back with another goal, set up again by Fernandes as United regained a deserved lead. Benjamin Sesko then settled the game with another goal off the bench.
Manchester United's English defender #05 Harry Maguire (L) consoles Aston Villa's Scottish midfielder #07 John McGinn (R)
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Here are our player ratings for the game:
Senne Lammens – 7
Could have sipped tea in his goal in the first half. Called into action for the second and delivered.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Found himself at the end of two great chances in the first half and missed both inexplicably. Saved Utd from conceding a second with a last-ditch clearance.
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Leny Yoro – 7
One brilliant last-ditch tackle in the box. Didn’t let the occasional error on the ball faze him.
Harry Maguire – 8.5
Set-piece threat in the attacking box, a defensive titan in his own. Brilliant again.
Luke Shaw – 6.5
No errors and no outstanding moments. Went under the radar.
Casemiro – 8
Grew into the game, especially in an attacking sense. Punctuated with another header off a corner.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7.5
Showed nice touches to escape Villa’s press and defended with renewed tenacity in return to form.
Amad – 6.5
Needs to do more with the ball. Has stopped taking on defenders. Never stopped trying, though.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
The conductor of the attack again. Should have had an assist, but Dalot missed. Casemiro and Cunha didn’t.
Matheus Cunha – 8
He created some dangerous situations and finally scored a composed goal to restore the lead.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
A willing runner off the last man but not his day.
Substitutes
Benjamin Sesko – 8
Came off the bench and scored again. He’s inevitable. United have solved the striker position.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Came on late so Casemiro could get adulation from the Old Trafford faithful.
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