Manchester United continued their fine run of form with a battling 2-1 win over top 4 contenders Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, February 11. Goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay gave the Red Devils all 3 points. A bullish Erik ten Hag claimed that his team “Could beat anyone, away or home” following the win. Let’s look at some key takeaways from the victory that allowed Manchester United to continue building momentum.
Manchester United Key Takeaways From A Late Win At Villa Park
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Casemiro Back To his best
Decorated Brazilian midfielder Casemiro had been under fire during the first half of the season, with several underwhelming performances, but was somewhere near his best at Villa Park. Only two Manchester United players have made nine or more tackles in a single game in the last eight seasons (Fred vs Leeds in 2023 was the other instance), showing just how all-encompassing the five time Champions League winner’s performance was.
If the Red Devils want to claw the six-point deficit to the top 4 back, midfield performances like yesterday’s from the Brazilian will be essential in the run in.
Casemiro for Man Utd vs. Aston Villa:
◉ Most duels won (13)
◉ Most tackles (9)
◉ Most possessions won (7)
◉ Most fouls won (3)Just look at that heat map. 🥵#AVLMUN pic.twitter.com/kLFjVLoow8
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 11, 2024
Harry Maguire Is No Longer A Meme
The former team Captain has had to put up with criticism, online abuse and memes deriding his performances over the past year or two. Whilst there was a period where the Englishman was under par (Much like the rest of the team), there is an argument that he has been singled out for unwarranted individual criticism because of the inflated £80m that Manchester United paid Leicester City to sign him back in 2018.
This season, however, is much a different story with Maguire looking assured and accomplished in most of his 14 Premier League appearances, a Man Of The Match award from yesterday’s game further testifying to the centre back’s renaissance.
Rasmus Hojlund Is Something Special
Rasmus Hojlund is in some form at the moment 🔥#MOTD2 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/4XcYDLL1YJ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 12, 2024
Five goals and two assists in his previous five games have catapulted Rasmus Hojlund to the top of the Premier League form table after a cautious and possibly underconfident start to life at Old Trafford. Incidentally, Hojlund finding his feet in the team has coincided with an upturn in form and Ten Hag consistently starting Alejandro Garnacho ahead of Antony, meaning that the Dane has more service and more direct wingers to supplement his game.
Onana’s Potential
You don’t get awarded UEFA Goalkeeper Of The Year for nothing. André Onana reached the Champions League final with Inter Milan last season and was widely regarded as one of Europe’s top keepers upon signing for Manchester United this summer.
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As with the rest of the team, the Cameroonian endured a torrid first half of the season but has recently looked much more like the elite goalkeeper the Red Devils thought they were buying, his shot stopping and distribution standing out in a commanding performance at Villa Park.
And Finally..
A word of advice for Douglas Luiz: Never dance too early when Scott McTominay is ready to come off the bench.
