RASMUS HOJLUND completed a stunning Manchester United comeback with his first Premier League goal for the club.
There were more than a few questions being asked as to why £64million had been spent on the young Danish striker.
AFPRasmus Hojlund’s first-ever Premier League goal sealed a 3-2 comeback win for Man Utd against Aston Villa[/caption]
GettyAlejandro Garnacho led the way with a second-half brace as United trailed 2-0[/caption]
On Tuesday night he was able to provide an answer having also been on the mark in the Champions League Group with five goals.
He could hardly control his emotions after plundering the 81st minute volleyed winner as United came from 2-0 down to win.
Up in the stands his father was in tears at what his son had just done.
Old Trafford might be ‘falling down’ as visiting fans sing when they come here nowadays.
But it still has the capacity to produce moments of magic.
All this in front of the Sporting Director of INEOS Dave Brailsford whose chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has just taken 25 per cent control of the club.
At half-time he was presiding over a shambles by full time he realised this is still a very special club on night’s like this.
It has been a pretty awful season and the Red Devils didn’t look in the mood to sugar coat it last night as Aston Villa raced into a two goal lead inside the first half hour.
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AFPAston Villa took the lead through John McGinn’s free-kick[/caption]
EPALeander Dendoncker had Villa 2-0 inside 26 minutes[/caption]
The two goals came from the feet of Alejandro Garnacho as the 19-year-old Argentine international struck twice in the 59th and 71st minutes.
Then came Hojlund’s magical moment. The second half could not have been more at odds with the first against a side with real title winning credentials.
United had gone into the game on the back of a dismal 2-0 defeat to West Ham which marked their worst start to a season since 1930 in terms of defeats in all competitions.
It was their 13th loss of the season and that had looked like going up to 14 after a dismal opening period from the Red Devils that brought the now familiar boos.
Goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put Unai Emery’s Merry men in control.
Getty
Getty
It was too easy for them against a bunch of individuals playing the blame game.
Every time a move went wrong as arms went up in the air and teammates growled at each other
Villa were 1-0 up on 21 minutes with another entry into the calamity catalogue for Andre Onana.
He was no doubt distracted by Leon Bailey stood on his shoulder as McGinn prepared to take a free kick wide on the right.
But that was the idea and as McGinn whipped the ball in, Bailey ran away, and it bounced straight past Onana. And on 26 minutes it was two.
Reuters
AFP
McGinn delivered the corner that flew to the far post, Clement Lenglet headed it back across goal and Dendoncker, in his first Premier League start since April, executed a back heeled volley into the net.
United were not finished. It looked like they had found a way back into the game just after the break as Bruno Fernandes sent the recalled Marcus Rashford away.
He squared for Garnacho who rounded the goalkeeper and stabbed the ball home.
Unfortunately for him he was just offside when the ball was played.
Unfortunate, or just badly timed, as balls and runs had been on a number of occasions in the first period.
Still, there was life in United and when Fernandes sent Rashford away again Emiliano Martinez came out his area and cleared him out.
Reuters
Reuters
GettySir Dave Brailsford watched on after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover[/caption]
The home players and manager appealed for a free kick and more, but it had been a superbly timed challenged by the Villa goalkeeper.
United remained on the front foot and finally got their reward.
It was the same combination again as Fernandes found Rashford who squared for Garnacho and this time there was not question as he slid the ball into the net.
It was all square when Garnacho was on the mark again executing a superb finish from the middle of the area after the ball had bounced free.
It was one way traffic now and when a corner from Fernandes bounced off McGinn there was Hojlund to fire home off the inside of the post.
Diogo Dalot said ahead of kick off that he hoped Ratcliffe’s involvement, would bring ‘energy, positive feelings and positive thoughts’.
It took 45 minutes for them to arrive but they did. What to make of this United?
They can get dumped 2-0 with a woeful display at West Ham.
Yet either side of that have earned a draw with Liverpool and this against Villa, two teams contending for the title.
One thing Sir Jim needs to know, is that it will never be dull.