OLD TRAFFORD — A first victory over a side in the Premier League’s current top six since October 2021 was never going to come easy. Not for modern-day Manchester United with a penchant for suffering.
All the stars had to align. Andre Onana needed to have his best game in a United shirt. Homeboys Aston Villa had to fluff their lines with regularity.
Erik ten Hag needed to get every in-game decision spot on – something that has not been his strong point this season.
With Onana worn out from plentiful fine stops down one end, as Villa’s forwards scuffed their way around their Sunday afternoon, a Ten Hag masterstroke ensured the constellation fell into place to see United through to a potentially season-defining success in their quest for an unlikely top-four finish.
Even at this stage of the season, with over a third of the campaign still to be played out, this was do-or-die for United’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League – not a lot to ask of a side who have spent another £400m over the past two years.
Defeat at Villa Park for the second season in a row, having not lost on any of their previous 23 visits to the famous old stadium, would have left United trailing the top four by 11 points – a colossal margin to make up for a team you are not sure what guise is going to turn up each week.
One point was worthless – only three would do. Leading at the break through another Rasmus Hojlund goal – no Premier League player has scored more goals since Christmas Day than the Dane – the writing looked to be on the wall for United as Douglas Luiz finally made one count to level with over 20 minutes to go.
Despite having not lost a league game when leading at half-time since the famous Jamie Vardy-inspired 5-3 defeat to Leicester away during Louis van Gaal’s eye-bleeding tenure in 2014, there looked likely to be only one winner at Villa Park as the game reached its tantalising climax.
This United team often concede goals in clusters so time was of the essence for Ten Hag – he had to act.
His in-game changes have drawn much criticism as things have unravelled of late, with his decision to take Kobbie Mainoo off in defeat at Nottingham Forest in December angering supporters and the club’s army of former players-turned-pundits.
With £85m forward Antony sat behind him, though, Ten Hag’s final throw of the dice – his job is as much on the line as anyone’s with the new Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos regime about to commence – was to turn to what he believed was his biggest goal threat. And boy did it pay dividends.
Despite what Scotland supporters will tell you, Scott McTominay is not going to be one of the catalytic figures capable of guiding United towards a brighter future. Not by any stretch.
What he does offer, however, is a boundless desire – something not a given in the United dressing room – to arrive late in the penalty area to settle matches at the death. He could not have timed his latest intervention any better.
With Bruno Fernandes shifted out wide right, McTominay was given licence to play off Hojlund and go for the jugular. The cross from Diogo Dalot was inch-perfect – the timing of the Scot’s run did the rest.
With the top three almost in their own mini-league, there is essentially one top-four spot up for grabs. One goal, or one substitution, therefore, could make all the difference. It could even save a man’s job.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/NY8wQVP
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