Champions League Spot Secured

Manchester United gained yet another comeback win at Villa Park yesterday. That is 31 points gained from a losing position, the most in the league. To digress, Villa Park is known to be United’s home away from home due to the support they receive there from fans as well as the good record. Even losing there in 1995 became a good omen as we ended that season Double winners.

Sucker Punched

Manchester United started the game brightly. They came close with some chances and had some shots on goal. What was missing was a presence in the box to put away any loose balls or crosses coming into the box. Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood were more likely to be found out on the wings rather than being in the box. The goal we conceded was a bolt out of the blue. It was a great strike by Bertrand Traore, nothing any goalkeeper in the world could do to keep it out. But the goal could have been prevented. Our weakness was exposed again. Fred and Scott McTominay made a mess of dealing with the ball. Fred chose to pass it back rather than clear it and McTominay couldn’t get the ball under his full control. Victor Lindelof was then soft in his challenge, allowing Traore two touches before he slammed in a ferocious shot into the top corner. In case you are wondering what is our weakness, it’s these three players. None of the three players mentioned is convincing enough to be a first-teamer for a team that has ambitions to win the title and other big trophies. They can make good squad players but not first-teamers.

Second Half Turnaround

That goal came against the run of play and it took us till the second half to respond definitively. Douglas Luiz produced a silly challenge on Paul Pogba in the penalty box, Bruno Fernandes stepped up to convert and equalise for us. That was to be the best thing the Portuguese playmaker did the whole game as he kept over-hitting passes and crosses. Shortly after making it 1-1, Mason Greenwood spun and shot to make it 2-1. It wasn’t the cleanest or hardest of strikes but it went in and that is all that counts. We were under the cosh for a period in the game when Villa was playing 4-2-4 with tall and strong attackers. We held firm despite losing our best header of the ball, Harry Maguire to injury. Edinson Cavani came off the bench to prevent a Villa equaliser and scored our third to wrap up the win. His movement and header showed what we were lacking in the first half.

Champions League Place Secured

We have secured qualification to the Champions League for the second season in a row, which is the first time that has happened in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. However, this cannot be seen as an achievement for a club of United’s stature and prestige. We need to be challenging for major honours every season. We have the chance to cut City’s lead down to 4 points by the time City play next. With just one more win needed, it is very unlikely they will lose the title now though. We have to navigate 2 games in 2 days after this match and Solksjaer has been moaning about it. He will be forced to rotate and I hope those that have played less like Eric Bailly and Donny van de Beek can do well enough to give Solksjaer a selection headache.