After defeating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Premier League, Manchester United took a step closer to taking part in the Champions League next season. When Bruno Fernandes gathered up the rebound from a Marcus Rashford shot, Erik ten Hag’s men extended their lead over the chasing pack at Old Trafford.
Emiliano Martinez had to dive low to stop Rashford’s low attempt, but Fernandes pounced to beat the Argentina international and give the Reds a major advantage in their quest to play in the Champions League in 2023–24.
In the closing stages of the game, the in-form Villans attempted to break through the United defence in order to earn a point. Douglas Luiz’s close-range effort appeared to beat David De Gea before Victor Lindelof rose high to clear the ball, but the offside flag grew up in any case.
Marcel Sabitzer dispossessed Jacob Ramsey early on and inserted the ball through to Rashford. While one-on-one with Martinez in the middle of the pitch after eluding Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, the Reds’ no. 10 shot missed the near post before the referee raised the flag for offside.
Just minutes later, Rashford gazed to break through again. Tyrell Malacia and Fernando Fernandes combined on the left side of the penalty area before the Portuguese midfielder sent an excellent pass into the path of Rashford, who tried to deflect it on his more fragile left foot, but Martinez was quick to react with a low save.
The Reds did not relent In their attacking play in the first 15 minutes. After receiving an over-the-top pass from Rashford, Sabitzer hit a powerful volley over the crossbar. Soon after, Fernandes attempted to chip the ball over Martinez as he approached, but it missed the far post.
The Villans entered the game In the 19th minute. Ramsey’s pass was intercepted by Emi Buendia in the United penalty area. The Argentine only needed one touch before threading the ball between Luke Shaw’s legs, looking for Ollie Watkins at the back post, but Diogo Dalot denied the in-form striker. Villa’s attack didn’t stop there, as Spanish left-back Alex Moreno fired a shot straight at David De Gea and out for a corner. Following Dalot’s timely challenge, VAR reviewed Watkins’ penalty claim.
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Erik ten Hag’s men put in a tremendous effort. Jadon Sancho outwitted former Manchester United defender Ashley Young before finding Casemiro inside the box. Taking a touch, the Brazilian midfielder wrapped the ball towards the Villa goal, but the shot ricocheted off the crossbar and fell to Fernandes, who was offside.
United broke the deadlock as the half came to a close. Rashford broke through and tried a low shot past Martinez, but the World Cup-winning custodian dived low to make the save. However, he was unable to get the ball past the post. Fernandes sprinted to the rebound and slotted the ball past the keeper and Mings on the line.
Ramsey and Watkins kept the away side’s momentum going with a great piece of build-up play just before the hour mark. Ramsey was sent through on goal and skipped past the oncoming Shaw before attempting to shoot at De Gea, but Lindelof swooped in with a heroic block to send the ball out for a corner.
United’s pursuit of a second goal resulted in numerous attacks on Martinez’s goal. Casemiro’s long-range attempt was deflected massively before falling into the keeper’s gloves. Eriksen’s through ball then found Sancho running through the area behind the backline. Mings easily headed away a pass from Fernandes on the edge of the area.
