3 years ago
40
ARTICLE AD BOX
Bruno Fernandes was the match-winner for Manchester United at Old TraffordBruno Fernandes scored his 100th career league goal to boost Manchester United's Champions League hopes and end Aston Villa's 10-match unbeaten run.
Fernandes pounced six minutes before half-time after Emiliano Martinez had turned Marcus Rashford's shot into his path.
It sealed a deserved victory for the hosts, who had already gone close through Marcel Sabitzer.
United midfielder Casemiro also hit the bar and curled a second-half effort just wide.
However, Ezri Konza nearly scrambled a close-range equaliser from a late corner that had been flicked on at the near post, but the Villa defender was unable to adjust his body position quickly enough to steer the ball goalwards and United were able to clear.
The result ensures United have a healthy advantage on the clubs chasing a top-four spot, with Villa now nine points adrift of the Red Devils having missed the chance to cut the gap to just three points.
- Follow Sunday's Premier League action
- How did you rate Manchester United's performance? Have your say here
- What did you make of Aston Villa's display? Send us your views here
Match-winner Fernandes reaches century
Fernandes has scored more goals (seven) against Aston Villa than any other team in his Manchester United careerIt is difficult to understate Fernandes' importance to United.
The Portuguese playmaker's arrival from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 helped rescue a campaign that was going nowhere and ensured United finished third.
Since then, he has carried so much of his side's attacking threat, remaining consistent throughout a club career that now extends to 178 games.
Even in this game, he annoyed Villa fans - and some of his own - by going to ground too easily or complaining for non-existent fouls. However, his willingness to play through pain is admirable.
Anyone who saw him limping away from a first-half collision in the FA Cup semi-final with Brighton was surprised he remained on the pitch into extra-time.
That he should start two Premier League games in the week after that says much for the 28-year-old's resolve.
Fernandes' 11th goal of the season underlined his desire.
He anticipated the ball could run loose as soon as Rashford went for goal - and when Martinez pushed it straight to the area Fernandes was running into, he was quicker to react than Alex Moreno and finished from an acute angle.
More to follow.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
Manchester United
Squad number1Player namede Gea
Squad number20Player nameDiogo Dalot
Squad number2Player nameLindelöf
Squad number23Player nameShaw
Squad number12Player nameMalacia- Squad number18Player nameCasemiro
- Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes
- Squad number15Player nameSabitzer
- Squad number14Player nameEriksen
- Squad number25Player nameSancho
Squad number10Player nameRashford
- Squad number5Player nameMaguire
Squad number9Player nameMartial
Squad number17Player nameFred- Squad number21Player nameAntony
Aston Villa
- Squad number1Player nameE Martínez
Squad number18Player nameYoung- Squad number4Player nameKonsa
- Squad number5Player nameMings
- Squad number15Player nameÁlex Moreno
- Squad number32Player nameDendoncker
- Squad number6Player nameDouglas Luiz
- Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
- Squad number10Player nameBuendía
- Squad number41Player nameJ Ramsey
- Squad number11Player nameWatkins
- Squad number9Player nameTraoré
- Squad number16Player nameChambers
- Squad number22Player nameDurán
- Squad number27Player nameDigne
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1de Gea
- 20Dalot
- 2Lindelöf
- 23Shaw
- 12MalaciaBooked at 90mins
- 18Casemiro
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 15SabitzerSubstituted forMaguireat 86'minutes
- 14EriksenSubstituted forFredat 76'minutesBooked at 87mins
- 25SanchoSubstituted forAntonyat 76'minutes
- 10RashfordSubstituted forMartialat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Maguire
- 9Martial
- 17Fred
- 21Antony
- 27Weghorst
- 28Pellistri
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 31Butland
- 33Williams
Aston Villa
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1E Martínez
- 18YoungSubstituted forChambersat 64'minutes
- 4Konsa
- 5Mings
- 15MorenoSubstituted forDigneat 75'minutes
- 32DendonckerSubstituted forTraoréat 64'minutes
- 6Douglas Luiz
- 7McGinn
- 10BuendíaSubstituted forDuránat 76'minutes
- 41J Ramsey
- 11Watkins
Substitutes
- 3Santos Silva
- 9Traoré
- 16Chambers
- 22Durán
- 25Olsen
- 27Digne
- 56Revan
- 58O'Reilly
- 72Young
Referee:Jarred Gillett
Attendance:73,592
Live Text
Match ends, Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0.
Second Half ends, Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0.
Attempt blocked. Calum Chambers (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United).
Bertrand Traoré (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Antony (Manchester United).
Calum Chambers (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jhon Durán (Aston Villa).
Attempt saved. Antony (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Anthony Martial.
Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Fred (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United).
Bertrand Traoré (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Manchester United. Anthony Martial replaces Marcus Rashford.
Substitution, Manchester United. Harry Maguire replaces Marcel Sabitzer.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Dangerous play by Calum Chambers (Aston Villa).
- Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
English (US) ·