Manchester United scored four past Aston Villa during a 4-2 thriller, Sky Sports noted. Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay were all in the scoresheet.
First-half
Manchester United was hoping to pay revenge against Villa after Unai Emery’s men stunned the Red Devils in a 3-1 victory, as previously reported by United Radar.
The hosts had a poor start until the 18th minute when Fernandes goal was disallowed for offside. The Portuguese playmaker was miles offside.
The English giants started to find the rhythm in the game when Tyrell Malacia curled a cross into the path of Diogo Dalot but the latter headed over the bar.
Rashford attempted a free-kick but his effort came off the wall. That pretty much summed up a poor performance in the first-half from both teams.
Manchester United 4-2 Aston Villa: second-half comeback
Villa continued where they left off on Sunday when Ollie Watkins scored within two minutes into the second-half, thanks to an assist by Jacob Ramsey.
United had a quick response when Dalot played a long ball to Bruno. The Portuguese then served Martial with a pass and the latter strucked home to make it 1-1.
Martial equalized within ninety seconds after Watkins opened the scoresheet. The Frenchman did not waste time to celebrate his goal.
The visitors stole the lead once again in the 61st minute when the former Manchester United player Ashley Young curled a cross into the path of Leon Bailey.
The Jamaican headed the ball towards Dalot. Unfortunately, Manchester United right-back scored an own goal to restore the lead for the visitors.
Two minutes latter Tyrell Malacia played a long ball to Marcus but the Englishman effort brushed the outside of the post.
On the 67th minute, Malacia once again found Rashford with a long ball and the latter had an interchange of passes with Christian Eriksen before he equalized to make it 2-2.
Manchester United stole the lead on the 78th minute when Alejandro Garnacho found Bruno following an error from Aston Villa. Fernandes took full advantage to make it 3-2 to the Red Devils.
Scott McTominay came close to scoring when he strucked the upright following a glorious assist from Eriksen.
On stoppage time, McTominay found the back of the net from close range from an assist by Garnacho. The scoreline finished at 4-2 to Manchester United.
Rashford is crowned man of the match
Rashford was presented with an award for man of the match. The 25-year-old was the star performer on the night.
According to Manchester Evening News, Rashford spoke in his post-match interview: “I think in the first half we weren’t great with possession.”
“We gave them a lot of chances, so it was similar to the game the other day. Second half was much better, we played with more confidence and we created a lot more chances and got the goals.
“They hold a really high line and we wanted to get behind. I think both times we went behind we responded quickly.”
“That’s a massive shift in energy. When you go behind, it’s difficult, but when you get one back so quickly it lifts us.”
“It’s the quality of the passes [from Eriksen], for me, it’s the calmness, whoever is making the runs at a high tempo needs someone on the ball that can slow it down and play the passes. When we’re on the ball, we have to give him options.”
“The more times that we make the runs, the more times it’s likely to come, he’s a top player. It was just this morning [that he got the England call-up].”
“For me the focus is United. I think if you’re performing for United then England is always going to be around the corner.”
“Obviously, I’m really pleased to be back with the squad. It’s going to be a massive month for us. So I’m looking forward to that, but hopefully we can close off this chapter with a win on Sunday [Fulham].”
United reach round four of Carabao Cup
Manchester United dramatic comeback secured qualification into the last-16 of the Carabao Cup.
The 20-time Premier League champions have been drawn with Championship side Burnley. The fixture is set to take place few days after the World Cup.
On the other hand, Manchester City has been drawn with their bitter rivals Liverpool. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal have been knocked out from the competition.
Erik ten Hag will fancy his chances to win the Carabao Cup in his first season as the manager of Manchester United.
(Manchester United 4-2 Aston Villa).
