Scott McTominay proved again that he has a crucial role to play in this Manchester United side, scoring a match winner late on against Aston Villa to ensure Manchester United came away from Villa Park with three points.
Not many had Scott McTominay down as a contender for United’s top scorer of the season, but here we are again, and the Scotland international emerged as the unlikely hero in a smash-and-grab victory over top four competitor Aston Villa.
Rasmus Hojlund scored for the fifth consecutive league game to give United an ideal start in the first-half, after 20 or so minutes of a domination period for the Reds. Villa came back into the game when Douglas Luiz scored an equaliser when United finally caved in after the break.
United kept plucking away despite Villa looking the most likely team to go on and win it. That was when a Diogo Dalot cross to send the visiting fans wild. Limps everywhere after their fans sung about us not being famous anywhere.
That last laugh was ours today.
Player Ratings
Andre Onana – 8/10
Made two brilliant saves to deny McGinn and Watkins, but his biggest strength this evening was his starting positions. In the right place at the right time to protect his back four.
Diogo Dalot – 7/10
Another solid performance defensively. The Portugal international looked suspect in the past when asked to defend, but not anymore. Proved he can be danger in the final third with an assist for McTominay’s winner.
Raphael Varane – 7/10
Right place at the right time for several blocks when Villa attacked in the second half.
Harry Maguire – 9/10
Villa couldn’t cope with Maguire in the air. In our box or theirs. A contender for man of the match if I wasn’t pulling hair out of my head over how slow we played the ball out from the back.
Luke Shaw – 6/10
Strong defensively as we’ve come to expect. Taken off at half-time as a precaution.
Casemiro – 7/10
Held United’s midfield together and played some brilliant through balls throughout the game. Picked up a ridiculous yellow card which will be brushed under the carpet.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5/10
Not one of his strongest displays because he struggled to impose himself on the game, but we’ve come to expect a lot from such a young midfielder. United still kept their shape throughout the game.
Bruno Fernandes – 4/10
Not a good day at the office for Fernandes. Surprisingly ineffective as he couldn’t find a way in behind Villa’s defence.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8/10
United’s brightest spark. His finishing boots were left at home today, sadly.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7/10
Took his goal really well but will feel he should have added more goals to his account. Five goals in as many games isn’t a bad return for a 20-year-old. A striker in form!
Marcus Rashford – 6/10
Looked to be cooking in phases of the game, but made some questionable decisions. Lacking end product.
Subs
Victor Lindelof – 5/10
Not his strongest display after coming off the bench into the a role he’s less familiar with. Did okay. I wouldn’t want to be seeing him at left-back too often.
Scott McTominay – 7/10
Match winner. Playing the Fellaini role for Ten Hag’s Reds.
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