Manchester United ruined Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes here last season and put another dagger in them once again with a 3-1 victory.
Villa started with purpose and showed no signs of fatigue despite beating Lille in the Europa League on Thursday night while United rested.
But once Casemiro headed United in front, they took control with goals from Matheus Cunha and substitute Benjamin Sesko following Ross Barkley’s equaliser.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was in position at Old Trafford to run the rule over both sets of players on a wet afternoon in Manchester…
Man United gave their Champions League hopes another boost on Sunday afternoon
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Senne Lammens – 6
Will feel aggrieved at the goal conceded given Amadou Onana was stood offside – albeit not directly in his eyeline. Had little to do for the most part, with his highlight a reflex save to deny a full-stretch Onana.
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
Missed a golden opportunity inside the area when he escaped the sight of Lucas Digne to meet Fernandes’ clipped pass but it was long forgotten by the time the final whistle went. Produced some top-quality crosses that deserved better on the other end.
Leny Yoro – 7
Has taken plenty of grief for displays this season, some of that warranted, other times less so. But this was a display that showed all the promise Yoro has to build on heading into next season where a return to Europe will provide more matches. Superb one-versus-one defending to deny Watkins when Villa countered in the first half typified his afternoon.
Harry Maguire – 7.5
Feels like he hasn’t had a bad game since Michael Carrick took charge and while this win didn’t come with a clean sheet, Maguire was once again showing everyone inside Old Trafford – and any FA staff watching on elsewhere – why a new contract and a spot on the World Cup plane makes more and more sense. Solid as a rock.
Luke Shaw – 6
Played his part and so often he doesn’t need to do anything flash. If he forces his way back into the England World Cup group it’s going to be because of his consistency and reliability. Plenty of that on show here.
Casemiro – 7
As the crowd called for the Brazilian to get one more year, it would be fascinating to know if he may well fancy it. He will leave, that’s been confirmed, but his bullet header to set United on their way here was a reminder of the enormous hole he will leave. His sixth set piece goal of the season, two more than any other player, is not easy to replace.
Casemiro is leaving, that is certain, but it will be interesting to know if he fancies staying
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
There has been some strange discourse around Mainoo and his performances. While this wasn’t Mainoo at his absolute optimum, he broke up play well and did nothing that caused a great deal of concern going back to his own goal. Continuing to mature and develop in the role.
Amad – 6.5
Back in the starting XI following some really promising cameos off the bench in recent matches. Didn’t manage to manufacture those opportunities to really drive one versus one at Lucas Digne. Made sure he did the other side of the game, too, getting stuck in defensively as Villa got little joy going forward down his wing.
Bruno Fernandes – 8.5
History maker on an afternoon where he was once again United’s best player. Went to old reliable Casemiro for his 99th Premier League assist – and his 15th of the season – before getting his hundredth with a sublime first-time through ball to Matheus Cunha. Puts him in an exclusive club of three alongside Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to reach at least 100 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League. Bona fide legend.
Matheus Cunha – 8
Looked a lot more purposeful wide on the left than he has been in recent matches which is perhaps a growing sign of his comfort in that position. Took Lamare Bogarde on with pace and purpose and eventually made the Villa full-back look pretty silly. His finish to make it 2-1 showed just how high his confidence is, before his ingenuity set up the third for Sesko.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Got a rousing reception from each side of the ground by the time he was replaced by Benjamin Sesko. He was back down the middle with United reverting to a fluid front three, only to send cross after cross in that gave him little chance of success up against Tyrone Mings. Thankless task for the Cameroonian.
HEAD COACH: Michael Carrick – 7.5
Looked to have made a mistake in not starting Benjamin Sesko after a fairly flat and uninspiring first half. But he doesn’t panic and shows a great deal of trust in players, which was rewarded by the likes of Cunha and, off the bench, Sesko.
Casemiro will not be easy to replace and he rose again to power home a bullet header
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1)
Emi Martinez – 7
Magnificent reaction save low to his right 21 minutes in to deny Amad’s header back across goal. Did well to parry away Mbeumo’s wicked effort early in the second half but hard to apportion any blame on the goals he did ship. Played his part as best he could and unlike his last visit, didn’t get sent off. Always a bonus.
Lamare Bogarde – 5
By the end he simply had no idea where Cunha actually was and he did not cover himself in glory when he lost the flight of the ball in the moments prior to Benjamin Sesko’s finish to make it 3-1. A lot of players of late have successfully nullified Cunha and United’s left side but not Bogarde. A tough outing.
Ezri Konsa – 6.5
Came out on the losing side but this was another display which showed why Konsa will be such a key piece for Thomas Tuchel and England this summer. The biggest criticism of the Villa centre back on the day was his lax nature in the area when Sesko reacted quickest to fire in.
Tyrone Mings – 6
Bossed this encounter for the best part of an hour and then it all seemed to unravel so quickly as Unai Emery jumped up and down in rage in his technical area. Shut down Bryan Mbeumo really effectively but Villa’s lack of organisation at the corner from which Casemiro scored was the beginning of their downfall.
Lucas Digne – 5.5
Got mixed up as Casemiro jumped between the Frenchman and Watkins for the United opener which won’t be a great rewatch in the next film session. It was his shot that deflected to Barkley for the equaliser at 1-1 but he didn’t provide anywhere near enough attacking threat to cause concern for Diogo Dalot.
Ross Barkley – 7
Finished smartly when the ball broke to him and deserves credit for playing as well as he did so long after a lot of people in England had written him off as a story.
Ross Barkley finished smartly and proved he should not be written off just yet
Amadou Onana – 6.5
Physically so dominant and while he started by making that count, he faded as this game went on which allowed Casemiro and Mainoo to exert more influence.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Started out on the right, then came inside, but for a player of his immense quality, he didn’t even come close to influencing the game the way we have seen him do so often. Still feel like he’s developing towards getting that superstar treatment from opponents that will eventually make him an even better player than he already is.
John McGinn – 6
Back in the starting line-up in the Premier League for Villa, his return was a boost, even if his influence on the game was limited. Started as the No 10 before going out to the right to free up Morgan Rogers. Took a nasty whack from Harry Maguire when battling for the ball. Subbed after an hour.
Emi Buendia – 6.5
Actually one of the few Villa players who was able to get forward and put some fear into United’s rearguard. Final ball left a fair bit to be desired but he couldn’t be accused of lacking effort.
Ollie Watkins – 5
Never felt like he got into the game and was on the outside looking in before he went off. Was thwarted inside the area by Leny Yoro – one of only two touches he had in the United box – when a rare chance did present itself. Stupidly got booked for taking a shot long after the whistle had gone. Forgettable afternoon.
HEAD COACH: Unai Emery – 5
Was jumping up and down like an angry toddler towards Leon Bailey and had barely calmed down when within 60 seconds United scored to make it 2-1. Needs to keep his cool to make sure Villa don’t blow Champions League football – again.
