THE NOTEBOOK: Super substitute Scott McTominay’s heroics continue, red-hot Rasmus Hojlund goalscoring streak goes on… and Aston Villa fans target Bruno Fernandes with chants
- MATCH REPORT – Aston Villa 1-2 Man United – Scott McTominay scores late winner
- The Scottish midfielder is now the highest scoring substitute in the competition this season
- CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag is still on trial. He needs more than gradual improvement this season to keep his job It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Scott McTominay scored a later header as Manchester United continued their recent revival with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Erik ten Hag’s side took the lead in the 17th minute through the informed Rasmus Hojlund, who swept the ball home from close range.
Douglas Luiz equalized for Aston Villa in the 67th minute before McTominay’s powerful header secured victory for United four minutes from time.
The results leave United five points behind Unai Emery’s side in the race for the Champions League spots.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler picks out some things you might have missed.
Scott McTominay scored a later header as Manchester United continued their revival
Erik ten Hag’s team is now five points behind Villa in the race for Champions League football
The McTominay Impact
Scott McTominay is emerging as an unlikely super sub for Manchester United this season. The Scottish midfielder’s late winner here at Villa Park was the third time he climbed off the bench to score a crucial goal for Erik ten Hag.
McTominay scored an injury-time double to beat Brentford at Old Trafford in October, and he also scored at Wolves earlier this month as United emerged victorious in a 4-3 ding-dong.
He is now joint with Brighton’s Joao Pedro the highest scoring substitute in the Premier League this season, while his six league goals are more than in his previous three seasons combined.
McTominay may not be an automatic starter, but his decision to turn down a move to West Ham last summer and stay at his boyhood club has certainly paid off for Ten Hag.
McTominay is now the highest scoring sub in the Premier League this season
In form Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund’s hot streak continues. The Dane’s opening goal at Villa Park was his sixth in seven games in all competitions for United since breaking his Premier League tie in the corresponding match on Boxing Day.
Hojlund hasn’t stopped scoring since with goals against Tottenham, Newport, Wolves, West Ham and now another against Villa, plus two assists.
United’s £72million summer signing for Atalanta is the second-youngest player to score in five consecutive Premier League games, after Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman was 19 years and 239 days when he played for Arsenal in 1998. Hojlund turned 21 earlier this month.
Rasmus Hojlund is the second-youngest player to score in five consecutive Premier League games
Villa fans focus on Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was the target of abuse from Holte End every time he took a corner in the first half.
“He’s about to cry,” was one of the friendlier chants he received. The United captain got his own back when his set-piece led to the opening goal when Harry Maguire headed through Fernandes’ corner for Hojlund to score.
Bruno Fernandes was the target of abuse from Holte End every time he took a corner
Quick catch up
Longtime Leicester City teammates Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans took the opportunity to catch up shortly before half-time as United and Villa’s substitutes warmed up on the touchline.
Evans and Tielemans spent three and a half years together at Leicester, winning the FA Cup in 2021 when Tielemans scored the only goal in the final against Chelsea, and they had a good old chinwag as the match progressed.
Former Leicester teammates Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans (L) took the opportunity to catch up
An unlikely combination
The knee injury that ruled out Lisandro Martinez for eight weeks saw Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire start a Premier League game for the first time under Erik ten Hag.
United last started this central defensive partnership in the league against Brighton in May 2022. Martinez’s absence is certainly a blow for Ten Hag and the United boss suffered another setback at Villa Park when Luke Shaw was forced off at half-time.
Southgate watches
Gareth Southgate was back at his old club to watch this one, and no doubt England manager was keeping a close eye on Kobbie Mainoo after praising United’s rising star in midweek.
“He has had a fantastic start to his career and it will be good to keep an eye on him as we move forward,” said Southgate, witnessing another confident, mature performance from the teenage midfielder.
England boss Gareth Southgate was back at his old club to watch the match at Villa Park
Anniversary ruined!
Unai Emery’s 100th Premier League game in charge was not lacking in entertainment, and Villa was worth at least a point.
But after 20 wins and one defeat at Villa Park in 22 games in all competitions, the last three have now been lost on home ground.
