Our picks

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa | Talking Points

Manchester United moved into the top half  of the table, six points ahead of the relegation zone, in a chaotic clash at Old Trafford as Aston Villa grabbed a crucial and deserved point.

The match started at a frenetic tempo and the visitors found themselves ahead after only 11 minutes. Winger El Ghazi was afforded the freedom of the right-wing before slinging in a cross which was retrieved by Jack Grealish. The young Englishman cut inside onto his right foot and whipped a superb finish on the angle into the top corner. Grealish then thought he had created a second for Trezeguet but VAR chalked it off for an offside in the buildup.

The hosts were sluggish in response and will be glad for McTominay and Pogba’s imminent returns in midfield. The much-maligned Pereira did redeem himself three minutes before half time. His curving ball was whipped in at such pace that even from deep it found Rashford in the six-yard box. In truth, Rashford’s finish was poor to hit the post but fortunately for Manchester United the ball cannoned into the back of Tom Heaton to nestle into the goal.

Solskjaer’s team were slightly improved in the second half and Martial waltzed through the defence only to be denied by Heaton. However, on 64 minutes, the home side did take the lead. Fred’s cross took a glancing deflection to the back post where Victor Lindelof was waiting to float a header back across goal and in off the post. Any thoughts of a United win to take them ahead of Spurs and only six points off Champions League in fifth were quickly extinguished two minutes later.

John McGinn fed the ball to Matt Targett who clipped in to find Tyrone Mings, with the centre-back lashing a volley past De Gea to tie the scores a second time.

From there Aston Villa were comfortable enough and Dean Smith might lament conceding two soft goals from crosses but will take some comfort at moving three points clear of the relegation zone before a midweek trip to Chelsea and hosting Leicester next weekend. Solskjaer will surely see this has a blown opportunity and, with Spurs to visit on Wednesday and the Manchester Derby next Saturday, this could be the start of a long week for the Old Trafford side.

Grealish a superstar in the making?

The young Englishman’s career looked to have stalled after a time in the Championship but perhaps the time away from the spotlight has been the making of him.

Grealish is the most fouled player in the league this season and on today’s evidence, it is easy to see why. His dribbling skills and balance are something to behold and, as he floated around the Old Trafford pitch, it was bizarre to think he would easily be the best midfielder in the home side.

His opening goal was a stunner and Dean Smith appears to have unleashed his potential with a slight positional change from midfield to a left forward role.

What might be of concern to Grealish is that a role in midfield in England’s team could be up for grabs. Southgate’s midfield desperately lacks the spark Grealish could provide and playing Maddison or Mount in midfield seems to unbalance the side. Grealish could easily play in a three-man midfield and he might risk being forced to compete with Mount and Maddison for a forward role. For now, that is probably of little concern and Grealish will hope he can continue his run of form to help his hometown club avoid relegation.

Solskjaer stalled

The Norwegian club legend’s immediate impact on the side has long since dissipated to such an extent that the club won as many league games in Solskjaer’s first eleven days as the club has won this season.

Another game of languid body language, lack of urgency or quality in midfield and an increasingly passive Solskjaer unable to influence the game.

Solskjaer spoke at the end of the game regarding the impact of Grealish’s goal on his side’s brittle confidence. If only the side had a manager who was well versed in keeping a cool head and overturning losing situations? If Solskjaer can’t even tap into nostalgia he may as well show Pochettino around his new office himself.

John McGinn shows the United midfield what it is missing

There was widespread disbelief in the summer when Manchester United were linked with the Scottish midfielder but given the two respective starts to the season McGinn may consider a move to Old Trafford below his level.

It has to be said United were missing Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay both of whom would improve the midfield infinitely. But even with both available, McGinn and Grealish offer passing, tackling and goal threat as well as a work rate and intensity this Manchester United midfield lacks. The fact the once great United would be improved by two promoted midfielders says as much about Dean Smith as it does about Manchester United.

Mercurial Martial back to his frustrating worst

The French striker has been United’s most influential attacking player this season. His move to centre forward added a fluidity to the Manchester United attack and allowed Rashford to flourish in a free left side role.

However, on Sunday he regressed to the frustrating figure of the last few years. Martial appears reluctant to make a run off the ball unless there’s a signed guarantee he will receive it. On many occasions, his lack of movement saw attacks fizzle out with Daniel James, in particular, crying out for movement on to his balls and runs. If Martial is to lead the line and score enough goals for the club he needs to do more off the ball.

If he needs any inspiration he only needs to look to Raheem Sterling and Sadio Mane down the road. Both have turned themselves into world-class operators by moving off the ball repeatedly to either create space for a teammate or to steal a two-yard tap in for themselves.

Martial deserves credit for his start this season and perhaps Sunday was a one-off, but given his past tendencies to lapse into disinterest, it’s something to keep an eye on as the transfer window reopens.

VAR has changed the game forever

In truth, everything VAR did on Sunday was beneficial to the game. Aston Villa had a goal correctly disallowed and another one correctly given – and the system worked fine. Apart from one aspect. Tyrone Mings lashed in an equaliser but refused to celebrate instead preferring to wander back to the halfway line shrugging his shoulders. When players can’t celebrate an equaliser away at Old Trafford even though they’re a yard onside, it’s time to acknowledge the game has been worsened ever so slightly but irrevocably.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site