Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa

Manchester United claimed all three points in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford on Friday night, when they beat Aston Villa 2-1 to level the points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

It was an entertaining first half with Villa beating the play, but it was the Red Devils who broke the deadlock just before the break. Aaron Wan-Bissaka broke the right wing and hit a cross that found Anthony Martial, who ducked to head past Emi Martinez.

Villa found the equalizer in the second half when a quick free kick found Jack Grealish, who sent a low cross into the box for Bertrand Traore to control and pass David De Gea.

However, United took the lead again just three minutes later, when Douglas Luiz declared that Paul Pogba had been fouled in the box, and that man Bruno Fernandes scored from point of view to win the game.

MANCHESTER UNITED

David De Gea (POR) – 10/7 – Super save to deny Ollie Watkins at 1-0 and another to deny Matty Cash at the end.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 7/10 – Assisted for United’s first game, but fell asleep when Villa tied. He did very well to deny El-Ghazi at the back post to keep it 2-1.

Eric Bailly (CB) – 7/10 – Excellent performance from the Ivorian who made a fourth straight outing for the first time since 2017. He kept Watkins quiet for the most part and an impressive block on death to save points.

Harry Maguire (CB) – 7/10 – His good form continues with another good performance. The England star kept the ball well and also dominated in the air.

Luke Shaw (LB) – 8/10 – Possibly his best performance in a Manchester United jersey. Consistently a threat in the overlap and solid defensively at all times.

Scott McTominay (DM) – 4/10 – He really fought for the home team on defense and was poor on possession. Subtitled after 65 minutes.

Fred (CM) – 7/10 – Made hard yards defensively and made more interceptions than anyone on the field.

Paul Pogba (CM) – 9/10 – Best player on the field. The World Cup winner had a great share in all the good things Manchester United did, including wonderful skill in preparing the first goal. He also won the penalty.

Bruno Fernandes (CAM) – 8/10 – Goal from the point but as always he was involved in everything United did up front. Where would they be without him?

Marcus Rashford (ST) – 6/10 – Electric on the ball, but it never clicked for him in front of goal. Although always dangerous.

Anthony Martial (ST) – 7/10 – He was quite calm but took his only chance with a good header to score the opening goal.

Nemanja Matic (DM) – 6/10 – He came in and took charge well in midfield. He completed all the passes he tried as United closed the game and took all three points.

Daniel James (LW) – N / A

Axel Tuanzebe (CB) – N / A

ASTON VILLA

Emiliano Martínez (GK) – 8/10 – He made seven saves in total, including an impressive one to negate Fernandes’ effort at 2-1 down, but was unable to do anything with any of the goals.

Matt Cash (RB) – 6/10 – I tried hard to attack but struggled to hold off the Pogba-Shaw duo all night.

Tyrone Mings (CB) – 5/10 – Missed punt for United’s opener and then missed a great opportunity towards the end. It is not his night.

Ezri Konsa (CB) – 5/10 – He dealt well with Martial’s physicality throughout the night, winning three of four aerial duels.

Matt Targett (LB) – 6/10 – He caused problems for Wan-Bissaka with their overlapping runs, but his end product was not with him.

Douglas Luiz (CM) – 6/10 – He defended well in midfield and his passing was very good at all times, completing 89% of his passes.

John McGinn (CM) – 6/10 – Villa had the best of the game in midfield for about 20 minutes in the first half, but they faded as the game progressed.

Jack Grealish (CAM) – 8/10 – The best away player once again. I got an assist and tried to create all the time, but couldn’t get over the line.

Bertrand Traore (RW) – 6/10 – He scored the tying goal with his only real chance of the match, but was relatively calm for the rest of the night.

Anwar El-Ghazi (LW) – 5/10 – He struggled to make some kind of impact throughout the game when his scoring streak came to an end.

Ollie Watkins (ST) – 5/10 – He ran the channels well, but never beat Bailly or Maguire, other than a header that went wide.

Jacob Ramsey (RW) – 5/10

Keinan Davis (ST) – N / A