Manchester united survive Villa Scare with a Garnacho led comeback

Manchester, 

Tuesday, 26 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Manchester United came from two goals down to secure a 3-2 win against Aston Villa, extending the Red Devils’ unbeaten run at Old Trafford on Boxing Day to 20 matches.

Emery came into the match without 6 wins in the last 6 encounters at Old Trafford but bottled a two goal lead that would have removed the spell. 

Midway through the half, John McGinn sent a free kick right into the back of the net gifting flying villa an opening goal. 

Villa doubled their advantage when McGinn swung a corner into the box, which unmarked Clement Lenglet headed into the six-yard box where Leander Dendoncker flicked it in to give Villa a two-goal lead extending united woes of conceding twice in quick succession. 

Marcus Rashford's effort was sent away by Martinez forcing united to head into the tunnel heads down. 

United came in strong in the second half responding quickly when a quick counterattack saw Rashford break through the lines and square it to Alejandro Garnacho, who ran through on goal, rounded Martínez, and squeezed the ball in, the goal was however ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.

United continued to produce chances and managed to pull a goal back just before the hour mark. Bruno Fernandes won the ball on the halfway line and released Rashford, whose ball across the face of goal was tapped in by Garnacho.

The Argentine then had the ball in the back of the net for a third time of the evening 10 minutes later, this time pouncing on a loose ball to draw level and set up a tense final 20 minutes.

The Red Devils continued to probe and a Fernandes corner into the box deflected off a Villa player and sat up for Rasmus Højlund to volley home and send Old Trafford into raptures - marking his first-ever Premier League goal.

The goal earned United a relieving win with a relieving victory for Boss Eric Ten Hag amidst mounting pressure over poor run of results before they come up against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Villa are set to host Burnley at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.