Hojlund breaks scoring duck to complete dramatic United comeback 

DEFINING MOMENT? Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 ASTON VILLA 2 

TWO goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund’s first in the league capped a remarkable comeback from Manchester United and avoided what would have been a damaging home defeat for his team as they prepare for a new chapter in their recent history.

New minority owners may be in the pipeline but, as United trailed 2-0, it appeared like a depressingly familiar story was in store for Erik ten Hag’s team.

But Garnacho scored his second of the night to equalise on 71 minutes, starting the move and, after Bruno Fernandes’s cross was dfeflected into his path, scoring from 16 yards.

The Old Trafford crowd was now transformed and smelling a complete recovery and it was duly delivered on 81 minutes from a Fernandes corner from the right.

John McGinn failed to properly clear, simply delivering the ball to Hojlund who hooked in superbly, with an instinctive finish from around the penalty spot.

It was a successful end to an evening in which the Christmas joy that had come for United supporters in the tantalising prospect of seeing the beginning of the end of the ownership of the hated Glazer family did not take long to unravel.

Five minutes, to be precise: the length of time it took for John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker to put Villa 2-0 up and leave United facing the prospect of a fifth home league defeat of the season.

And, again, there were not only major question marks about ten Hag’s dense but, more specifically, his goalkeeper Andre Onana.

A 21st minute free-kick, awarded for a high Fernandes challenge on Dendoncker, took some time to take, as Leon Bailey distracted the United keeper by standing on his goalline, a fractious discussion ensuing between the two players and referee Craig Pawson before McGinn could take the dead ball.

As Bailey sprinted back into a crowded area, McGinn’s curling right-wing delivery bounced through a crowded six-yard box, just eluding the boot of an offside Ollie Watkins, and flew into the United goal untouched.

United appealed in vain for an offside decision but, despite a predictably animated posse led by Fernandes, referee Craig Pawson, and his VAR, stood by their decision to award it.

That 21st minute goal sucked the optimism out of Old Trafford which had seen their team make a decent enough start and which was fuelled by the confirmation on Christmas Eve that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has purchased 25 percent of the Glazers’ holding.

But, United’s problems currently extend way beyond ownership issues, as Villa highlighted just five minutes later.

McGinn’s far-post corner was met by an unmarked Clement Lenglet who headed back across goal for Dendoncker to beat Onana with an outrageous flick just six yards out. 

Barely a United defender, or Onana, moved in the process.

Stunned United supporters responded with a chorus of boos although, to their credit and that of their players, ten Hag’s team mounted something of a fightback with a series of chances later in the half.

In quick succession, Fernandes shot wide when in acres of space, a Marcus Rashford shot was smothered by Martinez, Garnacho failed to pick out Hojlund in a promising situation and Hojlund’s shot was, again, well held by Villa’s keeper.

But it took just two minutes of the second half for United to turn those into celebration, however short-lived, as Garnacho appeared to have handed his side a lifeline.

Villa were, uncharacteristically, dis-organised at the back as United countered with a Fernandes ball to Rashford allowing the England forward to spring Garnacho clear of the last line of defence with what appeared, to the naked eye, a well-timed pass.

Garnacho cooly rounded Martinez before holding his composure and finishing impressively only for a VAR check to rule that the goalscorer had been offside.

But United were undaunted and continued in such a fashion - Martinez forced from his area to make a superbly-timed tackle on Rashford and Fernandes testing the keeper from 25 yards.

Finally, on 58 minutes, United were back in contention with a goal which, much to Unai Emery’s disgust, was largely self-inflicted as Diego Carlos’ poor pass out of defence failed to find a target.

Fernandes responded, with a well-aimed pass for Rashford, who advanced and made the perfect delivery, to the far post where Garnacho converted as well as he had a few minutes earlier.

Villa were in the midst of a complete collapse although, after being pegged back to 2-2, McGinn might have scored a third for his team, but for a superb goalline block by Jonny Evans.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana 5; Wan-Bissaka 5, Evans 7, Varane 6, Dalot 5; Mainoo 7 (McTominay 81), Eriksen 6 (Gore 90); Rashford 7 (Antony 80), Fernandes 8, Garnacho 9 (Mejbri 90); Hojlund 7 (Kambwala 88). Substitutes (not used) Bayindir, Reguilon, Pellistri, van de Beek.

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Martinez 7; Konsa 5, Carlos 4, Lenglet 5, Digne 5 (Moreno 50, 5); Bailey 7 (Zaniolo 77, 5), Dendoncker 7 (Iroegbunam 86), Luiz 7, Ramsey 6 (Diaby 77, 5); McGinn 7 (Duran 86); Watkins 6. Substitutes (not used) Torres, Chambers, Marschall, Proctor.

Referee: C Pawson 6