Man Utd consolidate Champions League challenge with win over rivals | OneFootball

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 3-1, strengthening their position in the race for Champions League football.

The two teams were separated by just goal difference at the start of the day. However, goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko ensured that it is no longer the case.

Following a fairly uninspiring first half, the game came alive after the break. A brilliant front post header from Casemiro gave United the lead after 53 minutes. The Brazilian leads the entire Premier League for goals from set-pieces this season.

However, it took Villa just ten minutes to respond to the opening goal. Ross Barkley whipped a left-footed strike into the bottom corner to level, after the hosts failed to properly clear a corner. The visitors could have led too, when substitute Tammy Abraham was let down by his first touch after being picked out in the six-yard box.

Instead, it was the hosts who quickly reestablished their advantage. Cunha got in behind and made no mistakes dispatching the opportunity. The lead was then doubled by Benjamin Sesko, who came off the bench. The Slovenian latched onto a ball that was bouncing around the Villa box, before finding the net with a heavily-deflected strike – in many ways a proper striker’s goal.

Fatigue was almost certainly a huge factor in the result. United had 11 days since they were last in action, compared to Villa who played in the Europa League less than three days ago. The visitors put in a spirited performance but did seem to die off as the second half wore on.

United’s captain Bruno Fernandes again played a starring role for his team. The midfielder assisted both of the Reds’ first two goals. He took the corner for Casemiro’s opener before threading the ball through for Cunha. It moves Fernandes to 16 Premier League assists this campaign – a record for a United player.