Manchester United hosted Aston Villa today at Old Trafford in the opening fixture for both clubs in the competition known as the League/EFL/Carabao Cup. The tournament changes names all the time, so for the purposes of this post it shall be known as the League Cup. This was a rematch of last week’s fixture at Villa Park in the Premier League, which United lost to Unai Emery and company. Emery always has his team ready to play United, and his sides always give us trouble no matter what. This was the penultimate fixture for United before the winter break and start of the World Cup.
The opening 20 minutes or so were largely forgettable, with neither side really being able to create any dangerous chances. United had the ball in the back of the net around the half hour mark via Bruno Fernandes, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside in the buildup. Villa had a few half-chances as well, although they struggled to get clear shots on goal.
The second half couldn’t have been more different though, as a whopping six goals were scored by both sides in the second 45 minutes. Villa were on the front foot first via striker Ollie Watkins, who put the ball away nicely after Villa won the ball in midfield and ran directly at the United goal. Reserve United keeper Martin Dubravka, on his debut for the club, probably could have made himself a bit bigger to cover his near post and keep out Watkins’s shot. However, the goal probably should have been disallowed for a hand-ball in the buildup. VAR and the refs missed it though, and Villa were ahead 1-0.
The Villans were immediately pegged back however just one minute later when a long ball over the top from United’s defense caught Villa napping, and Bruno was in on goal all by himself with Anthony Martial in support. Villa’s defense couldn’t get back in time, and it was the simplest of square passes from Bruno to Martial, who slotted it home for 1-1. It’s good to see Martial scoring again, but he must remain healthy for United to have the best chance of success in the second half of the season. Wrap him in cellophane and stick him under a heater this winter!
Villa again went ahead on 61 minutes, this time with even more fortune than last time. They had managed to work the ball towards the goal, but a cross was required from a very tight angle to get the ball across the face of Dubravka’s goal. Unfortunately, the pass had a lot of pace on it and Diogo Dalot’s attempted block directed the ball straight into the back of the net from close range. Scoring an own goal is one of the worst feelings in professional sports, but Villa were definitely lucky to see it go in.
The Red Devils were undeterred though, and kept plugging away in attack. They were rewarded 6 minutes later when winger/forward Marcus Rashford slotted the ball home past Villa keeper Robin Olsen. The ball could have easily gotten away from him, but he sorted out his feet just enough to get the shot away. He had missed just wide of the post a few minutes earlier, so he probably felt a sense of great relief once he equalized.
From that point on, it was almost all United. Center back Harry Maguire saw his powerful header from a corner saved off the line, while Bruno had several shots go just wide of the target. United did their go-ahead goal after a poor clearance from Olsen fell straight to substitute winger Alejandro Garnacho. He spotted Bruno in the center of the area and played the ball to him quickly. Bruno got the shot away, and a deflection off Villa center back Tyrone Mings wrong-footed Olsen saw the ball go into the back of the net. Great awareness from Garnacho, and finally United got a bit of luck of their own with Bruno’s finish.
Garnacho only got better as the match went on. The diminutive Argentine went on a lung-busting run down the left wing and almost had a goal of his own, if not for a save from Olsen. He was then instrumental in creating United’s fourth goal on the day when he played a lovely floating cross into the area from the left wing. His pass found the run of midfielder Scott McTominay, who did well to control the pass and stick it in as stoppage time began. United won the match 4-2 and secured their progression to the 4th Round of the League Cup.
Many in England often question the importance of the League Cup, but today manager Erik ten Hag and the players on the pitch were very clearly taking it seriously. I think there was a little bit of extra juice in the legs today too, having been beaten by this side at the weekend. I will never complain about United wanting to win a trophy, but I just worry that the lads expended a lot of effort today and that could negatively affect them later in this long and fixture-filled season. As long as reinforcements arrive in January, this team will do well.
A hearty congratulations to Rashford, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno, Dalot, Fred, Casemiro, Antony dos Santos, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Garnacho, and Raphael Varane on their call-ups to their respective national teams for the World Cup! Even if England doesn’t do well, I will be sure to cheer for United’s contingent of players. Left back Tyrell Malacia may still be called upon by the Netherlands, who announce their squad tomorrow. Also happy that the rest of the players who were not called up get a month of rest when normally they would be playing.
Just one match left now, an away trip to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. We need to finish this first half of the season with three points! Almost more importantly though, I am hoping for no injuries for any player going to the World Cup.
Glory Glory Man United!
4-4-2 