Manchester United vs Aston Villa LIVE: Record-breaking Fernandes inspires hosts to crucial Premier League win | OneFootball

Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Record-breaking Bruno Fernandes inspired Manchester United to a crucial Premier League win over Aston Villa as Michael Carrick’s side took a huge step closer to returning to the Champions League with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Fernandes overtook David Beckham’s record with his 15th and 16th assists of the season - the most from a Manchester United player in a single Premier League campaign - as he set up Casemiro’s header from a corner before releasing Matheus Cunha for the second with a stunning through pass.

In between, Ross Barkley equalised for Unai Emery’s side to briefly stun Old Trafford, but Cunha’s calm finish on the breakaway was quickly followed by super-sub Benjamin Sesko striking from the bench once again to wrap up three important points in the top-five race.

The result strengthens United’s hold of third place, as they move three points clear of fourth-placed Villa, but Emery’s out-of-form side could be overtaken by Liverpool if last season’s champions defeat Tottenham at Anfield later this afternoon.

Man Utd take major step towards Champions League as Michael Carrick blueprint becomes clear

It all started with a set-piece, as so many Premier League games seem to these days, but by the end Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa had become an advert for the benefits of good old fashioned wingers and number nines.

Much has been made of the role of set-pieces in the league as several sides have struggled to reliably create goals from open play, but in the end United took a giant leap towards next season’s Champions League in a more familiar manner, with Matheus Cunha the star as he and Benjamin Sesko sealed the result.

Man Utd take big step towards Champions League as Carrick’s blueprint becomes clear

Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa: Another Benjamin Sesko cameo off the bench sealed three points for the hosts as they took a big step towards finishing in the top five

Chris Wilson at Old Trafford 15 March 2026 17:31

Utd 'followed our plan very well' - Fernandes

More from Bruno Fernandes on Sky Sports: “In the Premier League every game is difficult. Villa are very well organised and know what they have to do. The plan against us is always very good. They have individual players that can make such a difference.

“It was about following our plan, we did it very well. We knew they had a high line and had to make sure our runs were on point. It looks easy but it is more difficult. If the timing is not perfect its very difficult. We did it today and we won the game.”

'The job is done' - Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes, who deservedly has picked up the man of the match award, tells Sky Sports: “It was very important because it was against a direct opponent, we had the same points, to gain this advantage from them is always good. We knew we needed to win the game after the last game. Today we did the job.

“I still think we can do much better but the job is done.”