Manchester United cruised to yet another impressive victory yesterday evening at Villa Park.
The Reds put three past Dean Smith’s men without reply in a one-sided night of football.
Here are three major talking points from the victory.
Reds go marching on
Ole’s red-hot Reds aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. The United boss named an unchanged XI for the fourth game in a row, an indication that he could have settled on this being his best side.
The team has been in excellent form. They’re unbeaten in the last 17 games, keeping 12 clean sheets and scoring 46 goals in the process.
Manchester United are the first team in Premier League history to win four straight games with a margin of three goals or more #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) July 9, 2020
The 3-0 away win also meant United became the first team in PL history to win four straight games by a margin of three or more goals.
The win also meant United brought up their goal tally for the season to a Century.
We scored our 9️⃣8️⃣th, 9️⃣9️⃣th and 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th goals of the season tonight — enjoy! ❤️#MUFC #AVLMUN pic.twitter.com/YsjT9owxpS
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 9, 2020
United really look the business. Ole will hope this form will carry on as they seek a Champions League berth for next season.
Engine room settled
Manchester United’s investment in Bruno Fernandes is looking more and more like a bargain with each passing game.
The Portuguese international got on the scoresheet yet again. He won a penalty, albeit dubiously, the slotted it home himself to secure his seventh league goal of the season.
Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League since making his debut in February 2020:
❍ Joint-most goals (7)
❍ Most assists (5)And he's yet to lose a game. pic.twitter.com/4qcbGPONl7
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 9, 2020
Since his debut, no other player in the division has scored more goals, and he’s yet to lose a game. He also showed his creative side as he set up fellow midfield maestro Paul Pogba.
Pogba looks a rejuvenated player since the restart and has well and truly been key to the Manchester United renaissance.
April 2019: Paul Pogba scores vs. West Ham
July 2020: Paul Pogba scores his next goal vs. Aston Villa
After 453 days, the wait is over. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/mjFiQFXdsm
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 9, 2020
His goal was his first in over a year in the Premier League, but perhaps that is now a good thing. The Frenchman looks happy to dictate games and let his new best pal Bruno get the business done with United’s dynamic front three.
Bruno Fernandes is grabbing all the headlines with his record-breaking start to life as a Red devil, and with Matic playing beside him securing the back four, Pogba can finally just be Pogba.
Fearsome Firepower
United put three past Aston Villa but only one of their exciting front three got on the scoresheet.
Man of the Match for the second game in a row, the fearless Mason Greenwood fired past the feeble opposition attempts to close him down and the flailing keeper into familiar territory, the back of the net.
🥇Man of the Match, @ManUtd’s Mason Greenwood
16th goal of season in all comps, 9th in PL
Second teenager to score in 3 consecutive PL apps for Man Utd (18yrs, 282 days) after Wayne Rooney in 2005
3 attempts, 2 on target
50 touches
38/41 passes completed pic.twitter.com/qjqltjQdzk— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) July 9, 2020
Greenwood with 16 is now the third top scorer for the club in all competitions, four behind Rashford and Martial. With his current rich vein of form, he might well finish the season as top scorer.
What’s perhaps the most impressive aspect of his performances is United are playing without traditional wing creativity, hence he’s making it happen himself.
Sit down if you don't have a weak foot… pic.twitter.com/A1HrPWAJNi
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 9, 2020
A young man unaware of what failure feels like, he keeps laying waste to stats like xG and makes a mockery of defences with his effortless ambipedal finishing.
He’s only 18 and a natural footballer with room to improve. United’s number 26 looks like an extremely exciting prospect for the years to come.
