Man Utd's unsung heroes step up to maintain Champions League charge

Scott McTominay has made a habit of scoring late goals for Man Utd – Getty Images/Shaun Botterill

It has been Manchester United’s unlikely lads who have given them hope of an improbable place in the Champions League next season. None more so than Scott McTominay, whose future at the club was uncertain in the summer but rescued his team here, like he did against Brentford earlier in the campaign.

McTominay headed home the winning goal here but other United players have moved out of the shadows to give Erik ten Hag’s team momentum in the last month. It is the first time this season they have won four consecutive matches and they are now within sight of the top four.

Ten Hag’s match-winners have not enjoyed straightforward campaigns. They opened the scoring through Rasmus Hojlund, who faced questions of whether he should lead United’s attack during his first 1,026 minutes of Premier League football when he failed to score a goal.

Harry Maguire was United’s player of the match, while Andre Onana pulled off important saves. The match-winning assist came through Diogo Dalot, who not so long ago was loaned out to AC Milan and has fought his way back into the first-team plans.

McTominay, though, took the limelight with his winning goal, which added another magical moment to his campaign. He could easily have been playing for West Ham after their interest before the campaign started, but he stayed at Old Trafford and has played an important role off the bench.

His goals against Brentford rescued victory from the jaws of defeat. He also scored both goals in the win over Chelsea and even last week scored during the stunning 4-3 victory against Wolves, with most of his damage coming off the bench. “I feel like as long as I’m fit and healthy I can come onto the pitch and perform,” said McTominay. “I don’t take it personally, I just want to come in and try and do the best I can for this. Long may it continue.”

Talk of being anywhere near the top four was fanciful earlier in the campaign when United were in the bottom half of the table, as low as 13th in September when they looked dysfunctional and rudderless. They are still not doing things the easy way but have at least found a knack of winning.

Gareth Southgate was in the stands at Villa Park and watched the deadlock broken with keen interest, as Hojlund is a player he is likely to face at the European Championships in the summer. The England manager will be hoping his defenders do not lose him as easily when they face Denmark in Frankfurt during the group stages.

Hojlund’s goal was set up by one of Southgate’s stalwarts, with Maguire losing Boubacar Kamara and outjumping Diego Carlos to nod into his team-mate’s path. Hojlund found himself in front of goal and poked through the legs of Emiliano Martinez, an instinctive finish that comes from a player whose confidence has risen since his goalscoring run started against Villa on Boxing Day. From firing blanks to scoring six in seven matches.

Rasmus Hojlund continued his goalscoring run when putting United ahead – Getty Images/Ash Donelon

Southgate was vocal in his support of Maguire when the United centre-back was out of the team and stripped of the club captaincy. There were examples of why during this display. Maguire put his body on the line to block a shot from Jacob Ramsey with a long-barrier position that might be seen by a cricketer. He took a blow to the head clearing another chance and had an understanding with Raphael Varane, even though it was their first Premier League match of the season together.

Kobbie Mainoo will have done his England chances no harm either. The 18-year-old is another unlikely hero of the season. He should be playing academy football but has forced his way into first team reckoning.

Onana’s position as United’s No.1 has been questioned and he returned from the African Cup of Nations with a 0 per cent save-success rate and dropped by Cameroon. But he would have been happy with his work here, his best saves using his chest to deny Ollie Watkins and tipping over from John McGinn.

He also produced a stunning reflex action just before Villa equalised to keep out Clement Lenglet. When the ball was returned into the area Douglas Luiz found the top corner and celebrated by shimmying his shoulders in the direction of Varane. His celebration would backfire with McTominay’s late header.

Douglas Luiz celebrates in front of Manchester United players after levelling the scores – PA Wire/Martin Rickett

The winner, with four minutes remaining, was invited by Dalot’s cross which was delivered with pace. The Portugal full-back only signed a new contract at the end of last season to secure his future.

Ten Hag, who kept Dalot on the right despite Luke Shaw being taken off as a precaution, said: “Everyone gets criticism but he (Dalot) is a fantastic player who is developing very well. He can play in so many positions and he is improving on crosses. He can score and his defending is improving so I am very pleased with him.”

McTominay had the final word with his winner, with Maguire insisting United can now challenge for the Champions League places.

“We are not where we want to be in the league,” said Maguire. “It’s been a tough season so we knew we needed to come here and get the three points. We are still not where we want to be and we need to step up. We have got ourselves in a position where we can challenge to go and get in the top four. It is important we stick together and take this club back to where it should be.”

Man Utd get key away win at Aston Villa: as it happened

07:18 PM GMT

Congratulations to United.

Villa will probably feel hard done-by. Thanks for following this with us.

07:18 PM GMT

Unai Emery speaks to Sky

“We did everything we planned. We controlled the game, avoided the transition. Kept possession, and good position on the pitch. We created chances, but did not score some clear chances.

“I am proud. Tough result to accept, but we played like we planned. Sometimes we have been clinical but not today.”

“Bailey sub was tactical.

“Very proud of the players. We didn’t win. United were clinical.”

07:05 PM GMT

Ten Hag

“Massive win for us. We get closer. I like the way we did it, especially in the first 20 when we dominated the game… and then to fight back. I am really happy.

“High intensity so a lot of players were fatigued. We found the character to win.

“Scott is great, he can score goals and he is always getting into positions where he can score goals. Bruno out to the right, and you know Scott is going to get in the box. The idea was to bring an extra midfielder in (why he subbed off Rashford) but you know Scott can score as well.

“Once we were [leading] we changed our mind set but for me, why not keep going?

“Shaw off as a precaution, we cannot take a chance with him because he has had so many injuries.”

06:55 PM GMT

McGinn to Sky

“Real sickener. We felt like we had done more than enough to win it. But you have world class players in that United dressing room, a sucker punch for us. Lot of people hurting in that dressing room. We have come a long way as a group, we are not going to be blaming each other.”

“We had chances, we were defending well. We got into great positions. I think the manager will be angry. We stuck to the game plan, we were focused. These things happen.”

06:53 PM GMT

Douglas Luiz celebration

06:49 PM GMT

United midfield?

06:47 PM GMT

Subs made the difference?

Did Villa’s subs come across as a bit negative?

06:43 PM GMT

Maguire to Sky

“Started well, deserved lead. But we dropped our tempo and our pressing. We have to do better on the set play, disappointing to concede from that. We have a big squad and people come off the bench and make a difference.

“Both teams caused problems from the set piece, better attacking than defending them. Set plays decide matches and we, quite frankly, have not been good enough at them for the last two years.”

06:43 PM GMT

McTominay to Sky

“We started well but they came back into it. They are a good team. Great performances from the back, like from Harry Maguire, immense. I don’t take it too personal that I am not starting, I just want to help the club as much as I can.

“Massive win, all positive. It’s about repeating it, at a club like this.”

06:29 PM GMT

Full time: Aston Villa 1 Man United 2

Feels like a major win for Man United, and a real body blow for Aston Villa.

Sky’s Kelly Cates takes a chance as she says: “Happy with the celebrations there, Roy?!” Keane: “Yes, it is not over the top.”

United remain sixth but they have cut the gap to Villa, fifth, to five points.

06:26 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 2

Hojlund off, and Luiz gives him a shove to make sure he leaves the field of play promptly. Mainoo also leaves. Jonny Evans and Amrabat on.

Six mins will be added.

06:24 PM GMT

90 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 2

Tielemans drives forward and plays it out to Cash, who hits the target but not to alarming effect for Onana.

06:19 PM GMT

87 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 2

Digne comes on. Zaniolo comes on. McGinn off.

Sam Dalling writes: “Dear Alan, please refer to my previous update.” McTominay has certainly delivered.

06:18 PM GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 1 Man United 2 (McTominay 86)

It’s that man again! Scott McTominay rises like a magnificent Lorne Sausage to power home a fantastic header. Cash, the man charged with marking the marauding Scot, had no chance.

Dalot the man who crossed it, and Mainoo the man whose ball set the cross up.

06:14 PM GMT

81 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

Garnacho puts the turbo on and burns through a couple of Villa players, but the shot is tame indeed.

06:11 PM GMT

78 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

United on the attack but they lose it. McGinn leads the break, frees Diaby down the inside right. Maguire leads the rearguard and United just about get enough guys back.

06:09 PM GMT

75 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

Diogo Dalot, panic stations, tries to hack a ball away and manages only to serve it up for Douglas Luiz. Lucky for DD, DL scuffs the shot.

Bailey off for Tielemans.

06:05 PM GMT

72 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

Surprising sub? Rashford off and McTominay comes on.

Diaby has been booked but I am not too sure why.

Sam Dalling says: “You mean United’s Premier League top scorer Scott McTominay is brought on to continue his fine form, surely Alan?!”

06:03 PM GMT

70 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

Onana, what is he like, has played himself into trouble and is nearly robbed by Watkins.

Sam Dalling: “Villa Park is properly bouncing. It was getting increasingly tense as time passed, but Douglas Luis has taken a needle to that balloon. The Holte End-ers fancy it now. Like, really fancy it. United have not lost a single one of the 141 Premier League game that they’ve led at the break since Leicester City beat them in September 2014. 142nd time unlucky? Maybe.”

06:02 PM GMT

69 mins: Aston Villa 1 Man United 1

Garnacho, always dangerous, gets a bit of space and hits a shot just wide.

05:59 PM GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 1 Man United 1 (Douglas Luiz 67)

That’s it! A Villa corner, hacked back in, Lenglet hooks it towards goal. Blocked, but the ball stays alive and David Luiz reacts the quickest to smash it home. Splendid jelly-roll / truffle shuffle style celebration, don’t see many of them to the pound.

05:57 PM GMT

64 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Bailey gets the better of Lindelof. Kamara has twisted his knee and Diaby is going to replace him.

Sam Dalling writes: “You can feel the tension at Villa Park. Unai Emery called for an electric atmosphere and it has been loud. Properly loud. But with the passage of time, every misplaced pass, every sub-optimal touch is met by increasingly meaningful groans. Remember a United win cuts the gap between these two to five points. There is definitely more goals in this. Villa on top, with United’s likeliest source of a second being via a quick break. And they are getting plenty of those.”

05:52 PM GMT

61 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Teasing freekick in, and none other than Maguire is the man nearest to it at the back stick. Cannot quite get there.

05:52 PM GMT

60 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Cash has rugby tackled Rashford, and United have a freekick. Cash booked.

05:51 PM GMT

59 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Really good play from Villa, slipped through by Bailey to Ramsey but the touch just lets him down.

05:50 PM GMT

57 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Villa seem to grind to a halt (Holte?) as they stand back and let Mainoo jink, and then cut back, for Rashford to shoot. That’s deflected for a corner.

05:48 PM GMT

55 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Brace of corners for Villa.

05:48 PM GMT

53 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Mainoo tries a ball for Fernandes but Martinez rushes out to claim.

05:41 PM GMT

49 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Garnacho clear but decision making lets him down and the situation runs away from him. Arguably offside anyhow.

05:41 PM GMT

47 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Lindelof (who has come on as a sub for Shaw) gives the ball away, Cash with an excellent low cross… Watkins meets it crisply but puts his effort straight at the keeper. Onana saved that whether he wanted to or not.

Watkins a solid fellow but just a wee bit short of top four quality, for me. He’s had two really good chances in the match now.

05:38 PM GMT

46 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Marcus Rashford steams forward, spins away from a defender as he gets into the area and nearly pulls off a sensational 360 degree turn and shot. No power in it though.

05:34 PM GMT

More from Mike

“Victor Lindelof is set to come on at half-time. He’s stripped off and warming up in the pitch. Harry Maguire, at the end of an impressive half, took a blow to the head so it could be him replaced.”

05:22 PM GMT

Half time analysis and comment

A fun and open game. I make that 10 shots for Villa and 7 for MUFC. Just the one goal but it’s anybody’s game at this stage.

Mike McGrath: “Hojlund’s goal came just after Gareth Southgate was jeered by Villa fans when he appeared on the big screen watching his England players, or perhaps even the goalscorer himself. Hojlund is back in the Denmark squad and is likely to face England at the Euros in Group C. Southgate won the League Cup with Villa, although their fans have been outspoken when their players have not been selected for England. Southgate left Villa in acrimonious circumstances.”

05:21 PM GMT

Half time: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

The half ends with Villa on the attack, McGinn battling street-ball style in the United area to win the ball. The whistle brings to a close a very enjoyable 45.

05:20 PM GMT

45+ mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

United have a corner and try a rather elaborate training ground routine that ends with them losing the ball, Mc Ginn breaking, and Mainoo having little choice but to foul SJM as he looks to counter.

05:16 PM GMT

45 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Villa do get a corner soon after, however, where Harry Maguire puts in a brave defensive header.

05:16 PM GMT

44 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

McGinn whips in the freekick. Onana scrambles across and saves at the nearside post. Slid behind with the ball for a corner, IMHO, but apparently not.

05:15 PM GMT

42 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Bruno Fernandes has attracted the attention of the ref for a hefty tackle on Bailey. But Bruno escapes a booking on this occasion.

05:10 PM GMT

38 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Cash tearing down the flank and Casemiro tries to pinch it off him… Casemiro booked! Either he just caught him on the toe or if Matty Cash has had a little dive there.

United cannot complain TOO much though: their man Hojlund just did a bit of a Greg Louganis on the edge of the area himself.

05:06 PM GMT

35 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Andre Onana comes out MILES to clear, even though Raphael Varane surely had that well under control.

05:06 PM GMT

32 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Raphael Varane gives it to Alejandro Garnacho down the right. He over-hits the cross intended for Rasmus Hojlund.

04:58 PM GMT

26 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Nice crisp move from Villa sends Moreno galloping down the left, he gets the cross in and the shot from Ramsey is just wide. Here is Sam Dalling:

“Intriguing approach from United, this. They are effectively man-marking to try and nullify Villa.

Take goal kicks: Villa will always try to work their way out, and United are matching them 3 v 3 on halfway.  Dalot is pushing forward to pick up Ramsey.

And in open play, Maguire is following McGinn when he drops short, with Casemiro filling in at the back.

It makes life much more difficult to find space. But on the flip side, it also leaves United vulnerable to quick, incisive passes. As we are starting to see…”

04:55 PM GMT

23 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Villa heads have not gone down. They’re on the front foot. McGinn cracks a drive at goal and draws a good save. And then a few seconds later, Watkins is put through and Onana gets down well, and bravely, to smother.

Looks like he got a whack for his troubles, the United keeper.

04:54 PM GMT

20 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 1

Sam Dalling writes: “Hojlund gets the goal, but Maguire deserves the credit there. Shrugged off Kamara’s attention dismissively and powered his header back across goal. Kudos to him. Most of us laughed when he decided to stay and fight for his United place. Well, he is one of ETH’s ‘go to’ defenders right now.”

04:49 PM GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 0 Man United 1 (Hojlund 17)

Hojlund gets the goal that United’s dominance deserves. A deep corner, Harry Maguire doing the Lord’s work and he’s just thrown Kamara off him like a man shaking off the duvet on a too-warm night, heads the ball onward and Hojlund has sprung the offside trap to tap it home, unmolested, in the six yard area.

04:43 PM GMT

12 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

United in the ascendency. Fernandes slips it through and Villa scramble it out for a corner.

That proves hard to clear and Garnacho drills in a ferocious shot wide.

04:42 PM GMT

11 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

Corner for United. Looks a physical mismatch as Harry Maguire bullies Kamara. Spamhead rises and gets his mighty bonce to it but well over.

04:40 PM GMT

10 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

United break – and it’s all opened up for Marcus Rashford! He slips the ball to Garnacho, overlapping on the right, but his cross is cut out at the cost of a corner.

Said corner is dealt with easily.

04:39 PM GMT

9 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

Good battling stuff from both sides, but neither able to fashion a shooting chance just yet.

04:36 PM GMT

5 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

Villa getting a nice bit of the ball for the last couple of minutes but United have a threatening break via Hojlund…. no, he is offside.

04:32 PM GMT

2 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

Good raking run down the Villa left, but ended in no nonsense fashion by Dalot.

Sam Dalling writes: “Ollie Watkins has just been presented with a framed shirt to mark him reaching 50 Premier League goals for Aston Villa. By the time the announcer had got through the script, Watkins had shot off down the tunnel. That is how quick this boy is. Villa’s DJ is attempting to get the crowd pumped up. Flame throwers are providing some much needed heat. Not sure about the efficacy of a light show when the skies are blue and there is a rainbow framing the Holte End?!”

04:31 PM GMT

1 mins: Aston Villa 0 Man United 0

United, in a white shirt, play the ball long. There’s a blunder from Casemiro as his control lets him down and possession is turned over.

04:29 PM GMT

The players are out on the pitch

Who do you fancy?

04:26 PM GMT

Arsenal

Putting down a huge marker there earlier today. Can Villa or United land a blow of their own in the battle for the top four places?

04:13 PM GMT

Sam Dalling writes

“Made it. At last. Thanks M6.

“Anyway, there has been much noise this week about Manchester United’s (literally) crumbling home. Well, if not quite falling down, it is fair to say not everyone can be sure of avoiding dampness when it pours.

“Back in the land of metaphors, there had been no such issues for Aston Villa at Fortress Villa Park. 15 league matches; 45 points. But since peaking with defeat of Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of 4 December days, the foundations have started creaking.

“An injury-time goal was required to spare Villa’s blushes against Sheffield United, while a late Leon Bailey strike snuck them past Burnley.  Then, more recently, Newcastle (who had only beaten Sheffield United on the road) came and played them off the park. Chelsea followed suit in the FA Cup. Two adrenaline shots generously administered to potential rivals.

“And then we have today. This is big. An eight point gap could become five. Then United would fancy themselves. But it could become 11. That is a lot of points to make up. I can’t wait.”

03:48 PM GMT

Fancy a flutter?

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03:43 PM GMT

Here’s Mike McGrath

on the team news.

“Erik Ten Hag has made an enforced change with Lisandro Martinez out with knee-ligament damage and Raphael Varane coming in. Other than that, it is the team that defeated West Ham 3-0 last week. With the goals going in against David Moyes’ team as they played Arsenal, it was good news for United in terms of their rivals for a European place faltering.

“Villa were poor against Chelsea and Unai Emery makes one change with Jacob Ramsey coming in for Youri Tielemans, who is on the bench.”

03:30 PM GMT

The teams

and the visitors

now also in the widely discredited “text” format.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Alex Moreno, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Bailey, Ramsey, McGinn, Watkins. Subs: Tielemans, Digne, Torres, Diaby, Zaniolo, Olsen, Rogers, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam.

Man Utd: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund. Subs: Bayindir, Lindelof, Amrabat, Eriksen, Diallo, Antony, Evans, McTominay, Forson.

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside)

03:28 PM GMT

Big day for Villa

fans are gathering

Aston Villa fans outside the stadium – Getty

03:19 PM GMT

Fans on their way to the ground

Aston Villa fans

03:09 PM GMT

Hello and welcome

to our live blog of Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League. There are lots of things to concern United fans at the moment but one unqualified success so far this season has been the emergence of an exciting new talent: Kobbie Mainoo.

Erik Ten Hag believes playing with Casemiro will help Mainoo reach his potential more quickly.

The teenager was given his chance following the hamstring injury suffered by Casemiro at the beginning of November.

But the Brazil international, who is 13 years Mainoo’s senior, is now fit again and they have played together in the last three games, all of which United have won.

Boss Ten Hag said: “We missed over a long period very important players like Casemiro, (Lisandro) Martinez, Luke Shaw, also others. We discussed that often. But you see the impact from a player when he is there, like Casemiro.

“He gives you calmness and composure on the ball. He gives you options, he does see the vertical pass.

“He is always a step ahead of his opponent and can break lines. Casemiro is a very important player for our game. We are happy he is back.

“For Kobbie Mainoo, he can learn a lot from it. That togetherness, that bond, also Kobbie is very coachable and Casemiro has so much experience.

“Kobbie will learn a lot from it, and that can even accelerate his development. We are happy to have him and, when they play together, they can benefit from each other.

“Casa takes that responsibility. He has taken to him and he is talking to him.

“I see it in the dressing room and on the pitch, also in training and in games. He is looking at his own game, but he is trying to help and support Kobbie Mainoo.”

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