Manchester United
's super sub
Scott McTominay
clinched a late winning goal, propelling his team to a 2-1 victory over
Aston Villa
on Sunday. This win not only sees United climbing up the
Premier League
table but also keeps their hopes of European qualification alive.
Under the management of Erik ten Hag, United secured their third consecutive win, placing them sixth with 41 points, just five points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa.
United currently trail fourth place by six points, the coveted position securing a Champions League spot for the next season.
"Every game you win is massive for taking a step forward and confidence for the boys," McTominay, whose seven goals make him the highest-scoring substitute in the league this season, told Sky Sports.
"It is all positive but it is about repeating it and not getting too far ahead of ourselves when we win a few. We've got to repeat it now."
Ten Hag praised McTominay's outstanding attitude as a substitute.
"He is an example for many players these days. There are not many players any more who are ready for every minute they can be on the pitch," the manager told the BBC. "Today we have seen another example. He is always ready to come on and make a difference."
Rasmus Hojlund continued his impressive streak by netting his fifth goal in five consecutive league games, and his 11th across all competitions. His goal, scored in the 17th minute, came from a close-range finish following Harry Maguire's header, slipping the ball through 'keeper Emi Martinez's legs.
Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, made numerous crucial saves to keep Villa at bay until Douglas Luiz equalized in the 67th minute. Despite Onana's heroic efforts, Luiz capitalized on a rebound from Clement Lenglet's shot to level the score, celebrating with a shoulder shimmy in front of Onana's net.
However, United had the final say as Scotland's McTominay, introduced as a substitute in the 73rd minute, secured the winning goal in the 86th minute. McTominay's decisive header, from a fantastic cross delivered by Diogo Dalot, left Martinez helpless in the Villa goal.
A jubilant Erik ten Hag couldn't contain his excitement, punching the air in celebration of his team's victory.
"I feel like as long as I'm fit and healthy I can come on to the pitch and perform. I don't take it personally, I just want to come in and try and do the best I can for this. Long may it continue," McTominay said.
"It was an unbelievable cross to be fair, whipped with a lot of pace. I just needed it to hit my head and get it on target. Full credit to the boys, we created a lot of good chances which may go unnoticed."
Villa managed to register 10 shots on target compared to United's five, and also maintained 55.9% possession of the ball.
"Great spirit and fight to come back and Scott is the match-winner again," Maguire told Sky. "It's an amazing feeling but we'd like to make it a little more easy for ourselves.
"Scott has come on in numerous games this year and made the difference for us. We had to dig deep in the second half; I think we did in the end and deserved the win."
Unai Emery, the manager of Villa, expressed that the result was difficult to accept.
"But that is
football
," he said. "We played like we planned and we deserved more."
(With Reuters inputs)
English (US) ·