Manchester United picked up their third successive Premier League win and fourth consecutive win in all competitions last night.
Heading into Sunday’s clash at Villa Park, the players would’ve been well aware of what was at stake as both sides continue on their quest for a European spot in the table.
Aston Villa held an eight-point lead over United ahead of kick-off but after Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay’s heroics, it was closed to just five points, with the Reds also sitting six points adrift from fourth place.
While praise will of course – and deservedly – be given to the goalscorers, credit must also be shared with United’s backline, as their spirited shift kept Villa’s ever-threatening attackers quiet for most of the game. The prolific Ollie Watkins, who has 11 league goals this term, was almost nowhere to be seen thanks to Erik ten Hag’s chosen defence.
Harry Maguire was named Player of the Match for his showing, while Diogo Dalot also received his flowers on social media after his tremendous, inch-perfect cross was headed home by McTominay in the 86th minute to seal a hard-earned victory on the road.
Defensive duo receive plaudits on MUTV analysis
Speaking on MUTV post-match, former player Lou Macari said of the pair: “Every single set play he went forward for, he seemed to get on the end of it. Harry Maguire was brilliant.
“Dalot is one of them who’s come on leaps and bounds, I never thought he was that good a right-back, I always thought he was capable and always could get by, but in the past few months, he gets forward quite easily, gets in the opposition box and he’s a problem. Defensively, he did his job.”
