Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa: Rasmus Hojlund scores first Premier League goal as Red Devils fight back to win
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Updated 26/12/2023 at 22:38 GMT
Rasmus Hojlund scored the winner – his first goal in the Premier League – as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford. John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker gave the visitors a two-goal lead at half-time. However, a double from Alejandro Garnacho restored parity after the break before an instinctive finish from Hojlund gave United all three points.
Manchester United's Danish striker #11 Rasmus Hojlund (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England
Image credit: Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund stole the headlines with a late winner - his first Premier League goal - as Manchester United battled from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker were on target in the first half to give the visitors a two-goal cushion at the break.
United thought they had a goal back when Alejandro Garnacho finished off a brilliant team move, but it was ruled out for offside.
However, the disallowed strike put the wind in United’s sails and less than 10 minutes later Garnacho scored to end United’s goal drought of more than seven hours.
With 20 minutes to play, Garnacho struck a second time to level matters and set up an electric ending to the game.
United were firmly in control in the final stages and Hojlund found himself in the right place at the right time to smash United ahead with his first Premier League goal for the club.
Erik ten Hag’s side held on for the victory to end a run of four matches without a win.
Talking point - Hojlund finally off the mark
Erik ten Hag will no doubt be delighted with the three points, but he will be just as pleased to see his star striker finally end his long wait for a Premier League goal.
Hojlund has five Champions League goals, but his lacklustre domestic displays started to raise questions about the forward’s £72m price tag.
However, it feels like he has already begun to pay that price off with the winner against Villa - the right player, in the right place, at the right time, snatching a vital three points for United.
Player of the Match - Alejandro Garnacho (Man United)
The 19-year-old was sensational in the second half and drove United to victory through his hard work and determination. At 2-0 down he was the one that made the difficult runs, terrorised Villa’s defence and made Martinez work.
He was unlucky that he strayed slightly offside in the build-up to his disallowed goal and he could have easily had a hat-trick if he had held his run for just half a second longer, but his two goals sure made the difference for United and gave Hojlund the confidence and belief they could grab a winner.
A season-changing performance.
Match ratings
MAN UTD: Onana 6, Wan-Bissaka 7, Evans 7, Varane 6, Dalot 7, Eriksen 7, Mainoo 6, Fernandes 8, Rashford 7, Hojlund 8, Garnacho 8
Subs: Kambwala N/A, Gore N/A, Hannibal N/A, McTominay N/A, Antony 6
ASTON VILLA: Martinez 6, Konsa 6, Carlos 6, Lenglet 6, Digne 6, McGinn 7, Dendoncker 7, Luiz 6, Ramsey 6, Bailey 6
Subs: Moreno 6, Diaby 6, Zaniolo 5, Duran N/A, Iroegbunam N/A
Match highlights
21’ - GOAL!! MAN UNITED 0-1 ASTON VILLA (MCGINN): McGinn whips an in-swinging cross into the box and the ball goes all the way through and across the line to give Villa the lead! There was some controversy as to whether Watkins - who was in an offside position - got a touch, but VAR has cleared it after a quick check.
28’ - GOAL!!! MAN UNITED 0-2 ASTON VILLA (DENDONCKER): McGinn takes the corner and sends the ball towards the back post where a completely free Lenglet heads it back across goal for Dendoncker to flick it beyond Andre Onana! Villa have doubled their lead!
59’ - GOAL!!! MAN UNITED 1-2 ASTON VILLA (GARNACHO): Rashford squares the ball across the six-yard box and Garnacho makes no mistake in slotting the ball beyond Martinez at the back post! This one will count!
71’ - GOAL!!! MAN UNITED 2-2 ASTON VILLA (GARNACHO): Garnacho bursts forward, plays the ball wide to Fernandes on the right before continuing his run into the box, gets the ball back and strikes beyond Martinez for a second time! It takes a slight deflection off Carlos, but he won't care! We're level. Game on!
82’ - GOAL!!! MAN UNITED 3-2 ASTON VILLA (HOJLUND): Fernandes delivers a corner which comes off McGinn before dropping to Hojlund, who swivels before smashing the ball home! Sheer relief for the striker who grabs his first Premier League goal - and what a time to get it!
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