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Rob DawsonCorrespondent
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United stay heading in the right direction for a top-four end after beating Aston Villa 1-0 at Previous Trafford on Sunday. Bruno Fernandes scored the one purpose within the first half as Erik ten Hag’s facet bounced again from their disappointment at Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
United dominated the primary half however wanted Victor Lindelof at his greatest after half-time to make sure one other clear sheet and stretch their unbeaten league run at Previous Trafford to fifteen video games.
Douglas Luiz got here closest to an equaliser for Villa however noticed his shot headed off the road by Lindelof, who additionally produced one other good block to disclaim Jacob Ramsey.
Fast response
1. United take one other step in direction of top-four end
United have not confirmed their return to the Champions League however victory over Aston Villa represents a giant step. A run of video games in opposition to Tottenham, Villa and Brighton was all the time going to be essential within the race for the highest 4 and after the second-half collapse in opposition to Spurs on Thursday, it was very important they did not drop extra factors.
Villa arrived as one of the crucial in-form groups within the league however United began effectively and saved them at arm’s size for a lot of the afternoon. Ramsey was well-marshalled by Casemiro, and Ollie Watkins barely had a contact upfront. Unai Emery was so aggravated through the first half that he spent most of it barking at Emiliano Buendia and pacing round his technical space like a caged animal, clenching his fists in frustration and waving his arms.
There have been moments when it wasn’t comfy and United wanted Lindelof — man of the match in opposition to Brighton at Wembley within the FA Cup semifinal — to have one other good recreation however when you can grind out wins at this stage of the season then it is a good signal. One other optimistic outcome in opposition to Brighton on Thursday and a top-four end will probably be inside touching distance.
2. Match performed out in opposition to a backdrop of protest
The third and remaining bids to purchase United had been lodged on Friday night time however there are nonetheless fears the Glazer household will find yourself sticking round. There is a rising frustration amongst supporters {that a} course of — which started in November — won’t finish with the membership’s hated homeowners disappearing as soon as and for all and the followers made their calls for clear on Sunday forward of the sport in opposition to Villa.
Round 1,000 followers marched the 2½ miles from Manchester metropolis centre to Previous Trafford earlier than kick-off carrying banners with the messages “Full sale solely” and “We wish our membership again.”
The stadium briefly went into lockdown with steel shutters coming down on the administrators’ entrance as supporters gathered exterior with smoke canisters and flares. Some followers stayed exterior for the primary 18 minutes of the sport to mark annually for the reason that Glazers’ leveraged takeover in 2005.
United have gained a trophy and are effectively heading in the right direction to complete within the high 4 in Ten Hag’s first season in cost, however the temper across the membership will probably be soured if the Glazers do not promote. It was a protest which felt like a warning of issues to return if United usually are not within the palms of recent homeowners by the beginning of subsequent season.
3. Aston Villa freeze nearly as good run ends
Villa had gained eight of their earlier 10 league video games to propel themselves into the race for the European locations, but when this was a chance to show how good they’re beneath Emery, they missed their probability.
Their begin was so poor that it had Emery ranting and raving on the touchline and regardless that they improved after half-time, United nonetheless deserved to win with out ever being at their greatest. Emery will probably be significantly disillusioned that after scoring in his first 20 league video games in cost, Villa drew a clean at Previous Trafford and will handle just one shot on course.
The outcome will not detract from what the Spanish coach has achieved at Villa Park and after their first defeat since February, it is easy to neglect that his foremost intention after taking on from Steven Gerrard in November was to make sure Premier League survival.
Villa have gotten a tricky run-in with video games in opposition to Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton to return however the alternative remains to be there to document a top-six end and qualify for Europe. Their good run has come to an finish however the season can nonetheless end on a optimistic word.
Greatest and worst performers
BEST
Victor Lindelof, DF, Man United: One other good recreation which featured an important block on Ramsey and a heroic goal-line header to disclaim Luiz.
Casemiro, MF, Man United: Saved Ramsey very quiet and gained the header that arrange Fernandes’ purpose.
Bruno Fernandes, MF, Man United: Considered one of United’s gamers of the season scored the essential purpose to win the sport.
WORST
Alexandre Moreno, DF, Aston Villa: He ought to have been extra alert to the rebound off Emi Martinez and was crushed to it by Fernandes when United went forward.
Emiliano Buendia, MF, Aston Villa: Spent a lot of the first half being instructed off by Emery on a day when nothing he did appeared to work.
Ollie Watkins, ST, Aston Villa: Got here into the sport in a improbable run of type however by no means obtained a sight of the purpose right here.
Highlights and notable moments
Regardless of Man United’s dominance all through the match, it was Fernandes’ purpose that made all of the distinction between the 2 sides.
After the match: What the managers, gamers stated
Man United supervisor Erik ten Hag on Fernandes: “He is so robust, a few weeks in the past there have been questions on his captaincy, it is loopy. He is such a giant chief. He provides a lot power to the group. His willpower, his ardour, his resilience; we want such gamers if you wish to win video games and make trophies.”
Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Info)
Up subsequent
Manchester United: Ten Hag’s facet journey to in-form Brighton on Thursday earlier than dealing with West Ham on Might 7. The Crimson Devils have all however secured a UEFA Champions League for subsequent season and can look to shut out this marketing campaign on a powerful word.
Aston Villa: Emery’s Villains face Wolves subsequent on Saturday, adopted by a house match in opposition to a Tottenham Hotspur facet that has been subpar and inconsistent this season.