The contribution from Fernandes is a club-record 16th Premier League assist in a season.

Casemiro and substitute Benjamin Sesko scored United’s other goals in a result that tightened United’s grip on third place in the standings on 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.

United, who were playing their first game in 11 days, were keen for a victory after interim boss Michael Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten ⁠run ended in a 1-0 loss to 10-man Newcastle United on March 4.

With 22 points from a possible 27 under Carrick’s leadership, Sunday’s win will invariably lead to more questions about his chances of becoming United’s permanent manager.

The game looked headed for a draw before Cunha scored from the left side of the box in the 71st minute, with Fernandes recording his 100th assist for the club across all competitions.

Sesko put the game out of reach 10 minutes later with a blistering shot from the centre of the box.

Casemiro put United ahead in the ‌53rd ⁠minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.

Ross Barkley levelled in the 64th with a shot from the middle of the area.

After a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball glanced off an offside Amadou Onana, the goal stood.

A better second half salvaged a decent game after a dreary first ⁠45 minutes plagued by errant passes and slipping players.

United did have some decent first-half chances including a header from Amad Diallo that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretched backwards to keep out of the net.

Diogo Dalot had ⁠a terrific chance inside the box that he launched over the bar.

Leny Yoro’s block spoiled one of Villa’s best chances and led to a long-range shot from Fernandes at the other ⁠end that he sent just wide of the post.

Villa have not won a league game since February 11, and an animated manager, Unai Emery, spent much of the afternoon stomping his feet and waving his arms in frustration.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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Portugal captain Ronaldo has scored in each of United’s five Champions League matches so far and netted either a late winner or equaliser in the last four in Group F.

Carrick made four changes from the 4-1 humbling at Watford on Saturday, which sealed former Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fate, with Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek, Fred and Anthony Martial starting.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were surprisingly left on the bench.

There was a lengthy delay to kick off due to a communication issue for the match officials and there were audible boos from the crowd as the visiting players took a knee.

It was a fairly even first half with neither side creating clear-cut chances before United goalkeeper David de Gea produced a stunning save as he clawed Manu Trigueros’ effort over the bar on 59 minutes.

With Villarreal starting to take control in the match, Carrick sent on Fernandes and Rashford on 66 minutes and the substitutions produced a complete change in momentum as United began to grow in the game.

With the game petering out to a draw, Ronaldo capitalised on a defensive mix-up after Fred had tackled Etienne Capoue to lob the ball over Geronimo Rulli.

Having come close to scoring earlier, Sancho finally did score his first for United as he rifled in a shot after a counterattack involved Rashford and Fernandes.

“It’s not been an easy couple of days for anyone at the club and that result almost feels like it’s for Ole,” Carrick said after the match.

“We had a job to do and things needed to be taken care of. I was happy to do it and thankfully it all went to plan.

“When you’ve suffered results-wise and aren’t in good form, individually and as a team, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click. We had to show some character and fight,” he said.

After shipping four or more goals three times in their last seven matches, Carrick will have been delighted with how solid United’s defence looked as they claimed their first clean sheet of this Champions League campaign.

This was also United’s first away win in the league since they beat Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in October 2020.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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