Manchester United draw level with Liverpool after beating Aston Villa

Manchester: Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty has become a very familiar sight for Manchester United. Being among the Premier League frontrunners has not been seen in recent years for the fallen giant.

United went level on points with leader Liverpool with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday (AEDT). The win was secured by Fernandes scoring his ninth spot-kick since making his debut 11 months ago.

United’s Bruno Fernandes scores Manchester’s match-winning goal from a penalty.Credit:AP

When Solskjaer opened 2020 with United 27 points behind eventual champion Liverpool, the manager's days looked numbered.

“It's such a big difference when you look 12 months back,” Solskjaer said. “It's a good position to be in but we need to improve and get better.”

Key to United's transformation last season that secured a third-place finish was Fernandes arriving in the January transfer window.

But it is the team's costliest player — Pogba — that Solskjaer will need to be making a consistent impact if the trophy is to be collected.

“His physical presence is important for us,” Solskjaer said.

After gaining possession five minutes before halftime inside his own half, Pogba headed the ball to Marcus Rashford, who flicked it for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to take down the right flank. A cross was then sent in for Martial to meet with a stooping header planted into the net for his third goal in six games.

It’s not easy breaching Villa’s defence. This was only the second conceded in six games.

So much of Villa's threat was coming on the left flank from Jack Grealish. At the start of the second half he beat Wan-Bissaka and sent in a cross which led to Ollie Watkins' header being turned over by goalkeeper David de Gea.

But De Gea was beaten by Traore from close range after Douglas Luiz let Grealish's cross go past him. The move started with a quickly taken free kick by John McGinn inside Villa's half that caught out United.

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish (left) battles for possession with United’s Harry Maguire.Credit:Getty Images

But the lead didn't last long after Pogba tangled with Luiz's shoulders and almost appeared to trip himself over. But the penalty survived a VAR review for Fernandes to convert for his 11th league goal of the season.

Fernandes did have a chance to extend the lead from open play with a shot pushed over that ensured a nervy conclusion to protect the lead.

In stoppage time, De Gea kept out a powerful shot from Matty Cash and defender Eric Bailly scrambled a clearance to prevent Keinan Davis levelling.

No wonder Bailly was so triumphant, roaring at the final whistle. Fernandes went over to embrace him.

“It’s a fantastic block at the end,” Solskjaer said. “I didn’t enjoy the last 10 minutes that much because I think we could have seen out the game out in a better way.”

AP

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