I see the Stretford End rising.
Manchester United picked up a massive three points in a top-four six-pointer against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. They always seem to win at home under interim boss Michael Carrick, and they’ve done so again after a tricky start to the game and a second half that asked them to find the lead twice, but the Reds were up for it again to take control of third place in the Premier League table.
It was a testy start to the match, where both teams had to grow into it, and the Reds
didn’t really get into it until later in the first half. First shot came after 20 minutes, first effort on target two minutes after that, and then several misses going into halftime. There was plenty of positive possession, but the final ball was lacking.
Out of halftime, United looked the likelier team to score again, and got in front after Casemiro converted on a corner kick from Bruno Fernandes to the near post. Chants of “One more year” came from the Stretford End, and understandably so, but there was still much more work for Case and the rest of United to do.
Villa responded well to going a goal down and pulled level 11 minutes later after sustained possession, but United would switch back on soon after.
Bruno Fernandes got a second assist playing a first-time pass in behind the defense for Matheus Cunha, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner of the goal with a defender on his back and Emi Martinez rushing out. It was the 16th assist of the season for the United captain, the most in a single season for a United player, and more importantly it put the Reds back in control.
The lead was reinforced off the bench by Benjamin Sesko, who many fans had hoped to see in the starting XI, but he made the most of his time by pouncing on a loose ball in the box, turning and firing through a crowd for 3-1.
Sesko should have had a second goal, but missed the target on a breakaway opportunity, again created by Bruno Fernandes. It was no bother though, as the three points were secure.
United will return to action on Friday against Bournemouth.
