Man Utd star who won 100% aerial duels outshone McTominay v Aston Villa

A win that would simply act because the catalyst for a second-half-of-the-season cost in direction of Champions League soccer.

Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 2-1 on the street this afternoon, which took them 5 factors behind Unai Emery’s facet.

Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring throughout the first 20 minutes, in what was an end-to-end half filled with attacking situations for each side.

After the break, Douglas Luiz equalised for the hosts, however a sure Scott gave Erik ten Hag’s workforce the potential season-defining three factors.

Tremendous sub Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay saved the day as soon as once more after changing Marcus Rashford, which is a substitution that may have left some United followers confused, particularly because the guests wanted a objective.

However previous to his arrival, Man United have been being overrun within the midfield, with Villa changing into more and more dominant.

The 27-year-old solely made four passes and had six touches in his 17 minutes on the sector, however his impression within the last third continues to ship targets, and vital ones at that.

Within the 86th minute, McTominay latched onto an exquisite Diogo Dalot cross to supply a bullet header, which left Emi Martinez helpless within the Villa objective.

This was his seventh of the season, making him United’s prime scorer within the Premier League. He’s additionally scored or assisted in all of his last three games, regardless of beginning none.

That stated, one other participant in white stood out within the Midlands as we speak, and it was a person devoid of a lot reward over the previous couple of years.

Harry Maguire was the true hero

Harry Maguire stepped up immensely within the absence of Lisandro Martinez, placing in a merely “colossal” efficiency, as per StatmanDave.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Night Information gave the quantity 5 an 8/10 rating, describing him as “defensively stable”, maybe an understatement contemplating simply good his show on the coronary heart of Ten Hag’s defence was.

As you possibly can see, Maguire was a rock on the again all recreation lengthy whereas serving as a dominant determine in each penalty bins. The England worldwide used his aerial power to win the header which fell to the ft of Hojlund securing Maguire’s second help of the season.

The 6 foot 4 defender additionally stood robust on the again, clearing corners and crosses for enjoyable whereas additionally making 4 tackles. Maguire additionally received 12 of his 13 duels within the tie, with a 100% aerial duel success price, which offered safety and assurance when Villa ramped up the anti.

One of the simplest ways to explain his night is that he put his physique on the road for his workforce.

To prime his efficiency off, he was comfy on the ball, taking 71 touches and never giving the ball away typically, which is not at all times a straightforward job at a hostile Villa Park the place the followers turn out to be the Villan’s twelfth man.

General, it was an ideal night for Maguire and United. Not solely will the three factors increase confidence, squad morale, and togetherness, but it surely was a efficiency that the previous captain wanted and one which he can construct upon.