Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-2 in the Carabao Cup.
The Reds managed to get revenge after their shocking 3-1 defeat at Villa Park on Sunday, although the performance tonight was far from good.
Whatever Erik ten Hag said to the players at half-time, he certainly got them to move up a gear or two because it was a sluggish first 45 minutes for both sides.
Ollie Watkins and a Diogo Dalot own goal twice put Villa ahead in the second half, but United showed character to respond. Anthony Martial responded to the first goal after just 19 seconds, and Marcus Rashford second the second equaliser. Bruno Fernandes topped off his brilliant performance with a goal for himself and Scott McTominay sealed the win at the very end.
Here are three things we learned from United’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa
Good pressing, but bad in transition
Even though United were sluggish in the first-half, our work off the ball was good throughout the game. The players often made the wrong choices in possession and we were too slow trying to get the ball in behind, especially in the first half. Anthony Martial made a positive impact leading the line.
Bruno Fernandes is playing without World Cup fear
That was one of Bruno Fernandes’ best performances of the season – and he started the game on the right, with Donny van de Beek playing (just about) centrally. It was fitting that Fernandes got the third goal because he was one of few players that didn’t play like he’s got one eye on the World Cup. We need the same fighting spirit from him against Fulham this weekend.
Missing Martinez
Aston Villa found it too easy to cut through United and I guess that was always going to be the case with Fred-McTominay in midfield along with Maguire-Lindelof in defence. We saw problems that existed last season. The Argentina international was serenaded by the crowd when he warmed up in the first half. He got an even better reception when he came on at the end.
Maguire as usual 4/10
And yes captain
A game of two halves . In the first half Fred was shocking he should be sold in January and Donny should be not far behind . In the second half Garnacho was fabulous and is now surely uniteds first choice left winger for all games