Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa – Herrera the star of the show
Manchester United eased to a 3-1 win over relegation threatened Aston Villa thanks to a show of skill from Ander Herrera at Old Trafford.
The Spanish playmaker grabbed two goals for the home side as they overcame a potential banana skin late on against Tim Sherwood’s side.
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Louis van Gaal made just one change to the team that beat Tottenham and Liverpool before the international break, with Marcos Rojo coming in for the ill Chris Smalling in central defence. Juan Mata kept his place on the right-wing ahead of Angel Di Maria, while Daley Blind continued at left-back.
Manchester United started brightly as well, with fans all in full voice. A long ball over the top found Wayne Rooney in the penalty area but he was hauled down by Villa defender Ciaran Clark, who had his arm draped around the captain’s neck. As Rooney fell rather theatrically, the referee waved away the claims – much to the anger of United’s players and fans as the Reds were denied a penalty and a man advantage.
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As the game went on United continued to knock on the Villa door but struggled to create any real chances, with Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia each having plenty of luck down their respective flanks. Aston Villa were resilient in defence though, showing heart and guts as they held the home side off.
But, three minutes before half-time Ander Herrera stepped up to the mark to break the deadlock. After great work down the left-flank by Ashley Young, he found the overlapping Daley Blind who pulled the ball back to the edge of the box for Herrera, who took one touch before lashing into the bottom corner with his left foot.
It was a well deserved half-time lead and United stepped up their intensity in the final minutes before the half-time break. In the second half, van Gaal’s men looked lethargic though. The ball went sideways a lot and the fans began to get disgruntled, booing an Ander Herrera backpass at one point.
Both sides created chances in the second half, although United’s were more clear cut with Young having a curling shot go just wide of the far post.
United then increased the pressure once again, with Angel Di Maria replacing Ashley Young and the quiet Marouane Fellaini replaced by Colombian forward Radamel Falcao. It was the Argentine winger who had the greatest impact, setting up a fine Wayne Rooney goal just minutes later.
A beautiful first touch saw Di Maria break away down the left-wing and away from the Villa defender. He took him on, beat him and put in a sumptuous cross for Wayne Rooney, who brought the ball down out of the air beautifully before smashing a half-volley straight into the top corner. It was a wonder goal and it seemed that the game was over at the point.
However Aston Villa had other ideas, as immediately from kick-off they earned themselves a corner and a rare mistake from David De Gea allowed Christian Benteke to continue his good form and get his second goal of the season against Manchester United.
With just under 15 minutes to go United began to get nervy and the fans were biting their nails before Herrera laid all worries to rest. After a drop ball situation, Rooney won the ball back in the final third, found an overlapping Juan Mata who pulled it back to Herrera to side-foot into the bottom corner first time.
It was a deserved second goal for the Spaniard who bossed the midfield with his constant movement and energy and he showed exactly why United fans were craving for his inclusion earlier in the season.
The victory means Manchester United have won five games in a row ahead of next weekend’s Manchester Derby at Old Trafford and temporarily move ahead of their city rivals into third place, ahead of Man City’s game against Crystal Palace on Monday night.