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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The English Premier League, EPL, club broke the news in a statement on its official website on Monday.

United said the decision would boost chances of the highest possible league finish, with the club sixth and trailing leaders Arsenal by 17 points.

“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change.

“This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish,” the club said in a statement.

The Red Devils have won one of their last five league matches, prompting leadership to act despite a season still in contention.

The statement also said the sack followed Amorim’s defiant responses on job security, insisting he held full managerial authority and was not merely a coach.

“He appeared downbeat on transfers and bristled after the Leeds draw, rebuking reporters over ‘selective information’ while defending his position.”

The 40-year-old said he had no intention of leaving Old Trafford, repeatedly stressing authority beyond coaching duties.

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Two goals from Kevin Schade guided Thomas Frank’s side up to ninth with 52 points, a potential Conference League spot within touching distance with three games left.

United remain 15th with 39 points.

“Yeah, I think we definitely have momentum… we’ve had a really good run of games, there’s a flow of playing well,” Frank told BBC.

“We need to keep that up. The next one is the most important game and that’s Ipswich (Town) away. It’s already a good season, let’s see if it can be an incredible season.”

With an eye on the Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, Ruben Amorim named United’s youngest starting lineup in Premier League history.

Seventeen-year-old forward Chido Obi became their youngest starter.

Luke Shaw was the most senior player in United’s lineup and the 29-year-old nearly gave Brentford the lead with an own goal when he tried to head a long ball back to keeper Altay Bayindir, who was off his line, but the ball crept wide of the post.

Brentford pegged United back but the visitors scored against the run of play when Alejandro Garnacho found space on the left wing and put in a low cross that found Mason Mount, who directed his shot past goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

Brentford equalised from a set-piece when United failed to clear a long throw-in from Michael Kayode, with Mikkel Damsgaard’s shot deflecting off Shaw for an own goal.

Brentford took the lead six minutes later when Christian Norgaard put in a cross to the far post and Schade rose above the defence to power home a header.

United were livid, however, as defender Matthijs de Ligt had gone down on the edge of the box clutching his leg after a challenge but referee Anthony Taylor did not stop play, allowing Brentford to score.

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De Ligt was unable to continue and Amorim was forced to bring Harry Maguire on while the Portuguese manager made two halftime substitutions to introduce Amad Diallo and Leny Yoro.

United had a couple of chances to equalise but they were smothered by the Brentford defence and Flekken before the home side came alive and made it 3-1 in the 70th minute.

Bryan Mbeumo delivered another cross to the far post where Schade leapt into the air to score his second header.

Less than four minutes later, Brentford carved United’s defence apart with a free-flowing move where Damsgaard and Kayode combined to give Yoane Wissa a simple tap-in into an empty net.

United then flickered into life when Argentine winger Garnacho pulled the trigger from outside the box to find the net in the 82nd minute.

With seven minutes added on, Brentford fans were biting their nails when Diallo’s shot took a deflection and went through Flekken’s legs to make it 4-3.

*Source: Reuters/NAN

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Tottenham Hotspur however suffered a 1-0 defeat at AZ Alkmaar.

Manchester United had the only real chance of the first half against Sociedad when Bruno Fernandes had a goalbound shot blocked and Zirkzee’s follow-up effort was saved.

Alejandro Garnacho hit a shot into the side netting but 12 minutes into the second half he pulled a pass back to the unmarked Zirkzee on the edge of the area and the Dutch forward drove a first-time shot past keeper Alex Remiro.

Sociedad pushed for an equaliser with Brais Mendez bending a shot just wide of the post.

They were later awarded a penalty for a handball by Fernandes which Mikel Oyarzabal converted to level the tie with 20 minutes remaining.

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As the hosts grew in confidence, Mendez forced United keeper Andre Onana into a fine save.

Substitute Orri Oskarsson put a close-range effort wide but United hung on to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition this season.

Spurs on the other hand went behind in the 18th minute when Lucas Bergvall put the ball into his own net from a corner and the visitors failed to register a shot on target in the opening half.

Bergvall tried to make amends after the break, hitting a shot from distance just wide but that was as close as Tottenham came to an equaliser.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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United defeated Romania’s FCSB, while Tottenham Hotspur over-powered Sweden’s Elfsborg, in their respectively fixtures on Thursday.

Ruben Amorim’s United failed to break through in the first half but Diogo Dalot slotted home at the far post on the hour after Alejandro Garnacho was denied by the outside post shortly after coming on at intermission.

Kobbie Mainoo clinched the 2-0 win in the 68th.

Spurs fans also had to wait for the second half to celebrate before Ange Postecoglou got his substitutions spot on.

Dane Scarlett headed home in the 70th and then set up fellow youngster Damola Ajayi in the 84th.

Mikey Moore wrapped up the 3-0 success.

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United finished the league stage unbeaten in third behind Italy’s Lazio and Athletic Bilbao of Spain, and ahead of Spurs.

Lazio had been the only team to be assured of a last 16 spot before Thursday, and could afford a 1-0 defeat at Portugal’s Braga, who were eliminated despite thanks to Ricardo Horta’s early winner.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympique Lyon, Greek side Olympiacos and Scotland’s Rangers also avoided an extra play-off tie.

The 2022 winners Frankfurt lost 2-0 at Roma from Angelina’s volley and substitute Eldor Shomurodov, with the hosts clinching a berth in the play-offs which are drawn on Friday and played February 13 and 20.

Like FCSB, Belgium’s Anderlecht crashed out of the top eight and must go through the play-offs after losing 4-3 at home against Germany’s Hoffenheim, for who victory came too late to avoid elimination.

Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce got the last play-off berth, one goal better than Braga, with a 2-2 draw at Denmark’s Midtjylland, with veteran striker Edin Dzeko setting up the first from Youssef En-Nesyri and scoring the second himself.

Ajax beat Galatasaray 2-1 as both reached the play-offs, and so did Porto thanks to a 1-0 at Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Twente defeated Besiktas 1-0 to advance and eliminate the Istanbul side.

Source: dpa/NAN

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The win moves United closer to the round of 16.

After Cyriel Dessers levelled in the 88th minute, Fernandes popped up with a crucial strike that will come as a huge relief to Ruben Amorim.

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United had seen a first-half header from Matthijs De Ligt controversially ruled out but led through a bizarre own goal from their former back-up goalkeeper Jack Butland.

The win moves United up to fourth in the standings, two clear of the cut off for the top eight places.

But Rangers, who at least scored against United for the first time in five meetings, dropped to 13th, with the play-offs looming large.

Source: dpa/NAN

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United, who defeated Manchester City in last season’s final, have been rewarded with a home game after their 10 men won at Arsenal on penalties in the third round earlier on Sunday.

Premier League leaders Liverpool will travel to the second tier’s bottom club Plymouth, who upset Brentford on Saturday, and Pep Guardiola’s City face an away trip to either Leyton Orient or Derby.

Three all-Premier League ties will see eight-time winners Chelsea take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium, while Aston Villa host Tottenham and Everton face Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

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Exeter, in the fourth round for the first time since 1981, face a tough home tie against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle will play at third tier leaders Birmingham.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Manchester United v Leicester

Leeds v Millwall or Dagenham

Brighton v Chelsea

Preston or Charlton v Wycombe

Exeter v Nottingham Forest

Coventry v Ipswich

Blackburn v Wolves

Mansfield or Wigan v Fulham

Birmingham v Newcastle

Plymouth v Liverpool

Everton v Bournemouth

Aston Villa v Tottenham

Southampton or Swansea v Burnley

Leyton Orient or Derby v Manchester City

Doncaster v Crystal Palace

Stoke v Cardiff

The ties will be played between February 7 and February 10.

Source: NAN

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Ruben Amorim has been confirmed as Manchester United’s new head coach and will take charge of the Premier League club on November 11.

Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday following Sunday’s loss at West Ham continued.

United set their sights on highly-rated Sporting Lisbon head coach Amorim and have now confirmed a deal has been struck.

The deal will last until June 2027, with an option for a further year.

The 39-year-old will start work with the Red Devils on November 11, having overseen the Portuguese champions’ three remaining matches before the international break.

United confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue as interim manager until Amorim’s arrival.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements.

“He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club.

“Ruben is one of European football’s most exciting and highly rated young coaches.

“Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.”

Source: dpa/NAN

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Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs climbed to eighth in the table on 10 points after six games, while beleaguered United, who saw captain Bruno Fernandes sent off in the 42nd minute for a high challenge on James Maddison, are 12th with seven points.

Tottenham went ahead in the third minute when defender Micky van de Ven picked up the ball and carried it over half the length of the pitch before playing a precise low centre across the six-yard box for the wide open Johnson to tap in.

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Spurs continued to run circles around United, doubling their lead in the 47th when Lisandro Martinez slipped on the halfway line.

Johnson sprinted away and his deflected cross fell to Kulusevski, who acrobatically clipped the ball past Andre Onana.

Solanke had scores of angry United fans heading for the exits when he stuck his leg out to poke the ball home from close range in the 77th minute after Pape  Sarr headed on a corner kick from fellow substitute Lucas Bergvall.

Source: Reuters/NAN

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The build-up to the second successive all-Manchester showpiece was dominated by the Dutchman’s future, after a report on Friday claimed he would be sacked regardless of the outcome at Wembley.

But United impressively parked talk that Saturday could be Ten Hag’s last match as teenage stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo struck, with the side digging deep to triumph 2-1 after substitute Jeremy Doku’s late effort.

It is the Red Devils boss’ second piece of silverware in as many seasons, but time will tell whether the trophy and Europa League qualification satisfies ambitious Ineos after limping home eighth in the league.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe was joined by Joel Glazer and Avram Glazer at Wembley, where United’s co-owners could not fail to have been impressed by Ten Hag’s game plan and his side’s output.

Most predicted City would become the first English side to win back-to-back domestic doubles fresh from sealing an unprecedented fourth straight top-flight title, but there appeared to be a hangover.

United, by contrast, were well-drilled and determined from the outset, with Garnacho capitalising on a defensive error to put Ten Hag’s side into a shock lead on the half-hour mark.

City manager Pep Guardiola said of that incident: “It can happen. Many things happen in a final. They scored two goals and we could not score more.”

Mainoo coolly extended their advantage at the end of a fine team move before half-time, which City responded to strongly as Erling Haaland hit the bar during a period of pressure.

There was late tension as the otherwise impressive Andre Onana let in a late Doku strike.

But the Red Devils were not to be denied as they ended a poor, injury-hit campaign with a win for Ten Hag, who will be hoping to avoid being sacked after winning the FA Cup like Louis van Gaal was in 2016.

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Ten Hag admitted he does not know what his Manchester United future holds following the FA Cup final.

When asked by the BBC if he had been unfairly treated by the media, Ten Hag said: “I think so. The team, me as well, it’s not right.

“We did not have the players. We have seen the same things, it has not always been good football so we had to compromise and we can’t play the football we want to play.

“In two years since I have been here we’ve had the full squad two, three or four times.

“It was about us to prove a point after a year with so many setbacks, injuries and all the times we had to survive. The team showed so much resilience and I am proud of them.”

Regarding his future at Old Trafford, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know. The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, developing my team, progressing my team and individual players.

“To me this is a project. When I came here it was a mess, we know better but we are by far not where we want to be.”

Source: dpa/NAN

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