Manchester United has almost confirmed that they will be in the Premier League top four. And the team has confirmed that their rivals Manchester City must wait to be named champions as they come from behind to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park.
After closing out their place in the Europa League final despite losing 3-2 in the second leg to Roma on Thursday. The second-half goals were from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood.
And his replacement Edinson Cavani ensured that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needed one point. From the remaining four games to defend the place of the Champions League.
Villa’s victory would have blocked City’s title – beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Saturday. And Bertrand Traore’s brilliant finish in the top corner midway through the first half threatened to do just that.
Emiliano Martinez equalized with Greenwood and Marcus Rashford‘s efforts as United struggled to respond at first. At the same time, Dean Henderson ended Ollie Watkins‘ strike to deny Villa a moment before the half.
United rallied shortly after the start of the season when Fernandes fired a penalty kick.
After Douglas Luiz fouled Paul Pogba, Greenwood completed a four-minute turnaround. And when his low-key strike found the bottom spot.
The VAR test with a handball against Greenwood was canceled after Luiz directed the ball into the United player’s arm.
And the visitors managed to withstand Villa’s past pressure. Despite losing captain Harry Maguire due to injury before Cavani secured victory in the closing months.
In the busy final, the Villa Watkins striker also received a red card. For a second booking impersonation under pressure from goalkeeper Henderson.
United is 10 points adrift of City, who got selected as champions. But they will get a chance to get four points as they face Leicester and Liverpool before the club play next.
United is fighting back – again.
With an exhausting short-term navigation plan, Solskjaer made four changes from a midweek trip to Rome. In Rome, where he will play for the second time in four days in eight days.
A situation got created after a weekend league meeting with Liverpool was suspended due to fan protests.
Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, and Victor Lindelof started in Villa Park. In contrast, Lindelof had to oppose Traore’s opening strongly. There was little that Henderson could do to stop his excellent strike.
It was the tenth time this season United has conceded an opening goal in a Premier League game.
Indeed Solkjaer’s side has lost 1-0 more times (14) than in the previous season (13) this season. But surprisingly, they remain unbeaten away from home after the recent battle.
With Cavani hunting on the bench after scoring two goals on Thursday, United initially found it challenging. To test Martinez despite promoting a building game.
But they got rewarded with the most advanced performance of the second half. And when Fernand’s kicking put a completely unsettled sidetone in the background.
Greenwood has made his latest claim to get included in Gareth Southgate’s European Championship plans. For his fifth goal in five Premier League games.
Although Maguire’s departure early following a collision with Anwar El Ghazi will worry both England and Solskjaer.
But Cavani’s accurate headline from the Rashford cross ended, upholding a good week for United.
They reached the first term of Solskjaer’s time. And co-chairman Joel Glazer announced plans for his first interview with fans since his family bought the club in 2005.
The Villa can’t get rid of United’s hoodoo.
The Everton side’s victory over last week’s hopes of keeping Europe’s hopes alive is another testament. To Dean Smith’s side’s progress this season, even though the results have been low for a year.
Last term, a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United with four games left. To keep Villa in second place and four points safely before they meet to live by one point.
The team was fighting without injured captain Jack Grealish for the 12th game in a row. A strong defense denied United’s chances. And Martinez looked comfortable as Greenwood and Rashford provided the tests.
Traore’s lack of defensive back Matty Cash turned out to be a concern when Luke Shaw found great excitement.
But he showed his quality in the opposite half as he passed Lindelof before pulling out a powerful drive in a far corner.
But when Luiz’s trip to Pogba allowed United to focus. Villa faced a daunting task as the visitors traveled 22 times in the Premier League at Villa Park without defeat.
Villa remains in 11th place and has plenty of finishing touches to focus on. In their remaining four games of the second season they have improved significantly in the top flight.
