Manchester United supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his workforce’s “resilience” after they put Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations on hold by coming from behind to win 3-1 away to Aston Villa on Sunday. Defeat for United in the first of a run of three games in five days would have seen City crowned champions. And their local rivals had reason to be optimistic when Villa’s Bertrand Traore opening the scoring midway through the first half. But United hit back with two goals in four minutes after the break, Bruno Fernandes equalising from the penalty spot before Mason Greenwood put them ahead. United wrapped up the win thanks to substitute Edinson Cavani’s goal three minutes from time.
Victory left second-placed United 10 points behind leaders City, with 12 still on offer to the Red Devils from their final four league games.
United, however, face Leicester and Liverpool in the coming week and defeat in either of those matches will see City, beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea on Saturday, crowned champions before Pep Guardiola’s men are away to Newcastle on Friday.
“A great result and it takes a little bit of pressure away from having to get results because the next two are against very good teams,” Solskjaer informed the BBC.
The Norwegian made 4 modifications to the facet overwhelmed 3-2 by Roma in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg, a outcome that also noticed United undergo 8-5 on combination, with Dean Henderson, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford all coming into the facet.
And Solskjaer was happy by the best way United had coped with each a congested schedule after which falling behind at Villa Park.
‘CHARACTER’
“It exhibits character, resilience, perception, health,” he said. “It is difficult at times, especially when you travel back and don’t get home until 5:00am (0400 GMT) Friday and then travel here.”
United kicked off having not misplaced a Premier League match at Villa Park since 1995, a 12 months earlier than present supervisor Solskjaer joined the membership as a striker.
Villa’s hopes of ending that run in opposition to United weren’t helped by England worldwide Jack Grealish’s ongoing absence as a consequence of a shin harm, with Egypt ahead Trezeguet a long-term absentee as nicely.
Grealish regarded on from the stands on Sunday as did England supervisor Gareth Southgate, himself a former Villa defender.
Villa went forward in opposition to the run of play within the twenty fourth minute.
Fred’s poor cross to McTominay allowed John McGinn to realize possession, with Douglas Luiz enjoying in Traore.
The Burkina Faso worldwide turned neatly and held off the problem of Lindelof earlier than beating United goalkeeper Henderson with a strong shot into the far nook.
United have been degree within the 52nd minute when Fernandes scored from the spot after Paul Pogba was introduced down within the field by Luiz.
And they led within the 56th minute after Aaron Wan-Bissaka discovered Greenwood contained in the field, with the teenage England ahead beating Martinez with a low shot.
Worryingly for United, defender Harry Maguire limped off 12 minutes from time.
“Of course we’ve bought a ultimate to stay up for — hopefully that might be with Harry Maguire,” said Solskjaer.
“It might be a few weeks, might be a couple of days, who knows?”
United will now await the outcomes of a scan, with Solskjaer including: “It was his ankle, decrease leg. I believe the boy landed on prime of him, so twisted his ankle and bought a knock.”
Cavani made the game safe with an 87th-minute glancing header from Rashford’s cross.
And there was still time for Villa’s Ollie Watkins to be sent off after he was shown a second yellow card for diving.
Villa manager Dean Smith, who branded United’s penalty a “pathetic decision”, was additionally annoyed by Watkins’ exit.
“Ollie Watkins has bought despatched off for a second yellow, there isn’t a means the referee can inform me he’s satisfied he hasn’t been touched.”
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