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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United said that the transfer was subject to the agreement of personal terms, British visa requirements and a medical.

Reuters understands that the 30-year-old is to sign a four- to five-year deal at United with wages of around 16 million euros ($16.1 million) per year.

British media said United had closed on a deal worth up to 70 million euros for Casemiro, who has 63 caps for Brazil.

Earlier, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said Casemiro wanted to leave Real to face a “new challenge”.

“We understand his feeling, I do not think there is a way back,” Ancelotti told a news conference on Friday.

“Real Madrid loses a player that has linked really well with the other midfielders with more quality, (Luka) Modric and (Toni) Kroos.

READ ALSO: Ronaldo’s hat-trick rescues Manchester United against Norwich

“He is important and has been key to Madrid’s success,” Ancelotti said.

Casemiro’s addition will boost United’s options in midfield, with Ten Hag currently having only Fred and Scott McTominay as the regular players in that department.

United are bottom of the Premier League after losing both their opening games.

They host rivals Liverpool on Monday night.

LaLiga and European champions Real signed France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in June from AS Monaco, with the 22-year-old believed to be a replacement for Casemiro.

After joining the Spanish giants in 2013 from Sao Paulo, Casemiro won five Champions League trophies, three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and three Club World Cups among other honours.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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The result ensured that the Spanish champions snapped a three-game losing run in the competition.

Marcus Thuram fired in for the lead in the 33rd minute and tapped in on the rebound in the 58th minute.

Benzema cut the deficit in the 87th minute and Casemiro bagged a stoppage time equaliser.

The 13-times European champions, who had lost their previous three games including a 3-2 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk last week, earned their first point in the competition.

“We didn’t think this would be such a drama,” Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “But my team showed that they know how to react.

“We always play to win and show the hunger to win. No way were we happy with the draw.”

Gladbach, who also conceded a 90th minute equaliser in their 2-2 draw at Inter Milan last week, are second in the group on two points.

Shakhtar are top on four points after a 0-0 draw with Inter Milan.

Zidane had been hoping to carry his side’s momentum from their 3-1 weekend win over FC Barcelona in La Liga into the game.

Yet, in spite of their confidence in possession, chances were few and far between.

The Foals struck on the break with Alassane Plea pouncing on a Toni Kroos mistake to set up Thuram for his first goal in the competition.

Real Madrid initially had more spark after the break and hit the woodwork when Asensio’s 46th minute shot was headed on to the crossbar.

Gladbach then struck against the run of play, with 23-year-old France youth international Thuram tapping in on the rebound after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had pushed out a shot from Plea.

With the Germans thinking the game was already won, Real Madrid pulled a goal back.

That was when Casemiro headed on for Benzema, who became only the second player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons.

Brazilian Casemiro then dashed Gladbach’s hopes of a memorable win, driving the ball into the roof of the net in stoppage time.

“When you concede two late goals and drop the points it is not a good feeling,” Gladbach coach Marco Rose said.

“It came down to the quality of Real Madrid. We wanted to defend better until the end, but sometimes you need a little bit of luck and we didn’t have that tonight.”

Source: Reuters/NAN

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