Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Aston Villa for Manchester United was concluded with a goal from Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund, who scored his first Premier League goal. The team had come back from a two-goal deficit.
By halftime at Old Trafford, goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker had placed Villa in control, putting Erik ten Hag’s team in risk of suffering yet another humiliating loss.
Despite being jeered off at halftime, United managed to mount a much-needed comeback, led by Alejandro Garnacho’s first goal in seven hours and twenty minutes.
With eight minutes remaining, Hojlund eventually broke his goal drought when Garnacho scored again to tie the score.
Hojlund scored his first league goal for United in just his 15th game overall since joining from Atalanta in August. It was also his sixth goal overall.
With a thrilling goal, Hojlund put an end to United’s winless streak of four games in all competitions, moving them up to sixth place in the Premier League.
Villa’s surprise title challenge has taken a hit after two games without a win.
This is Unai Emery’s team’s third-place finish, three points behind leaders Liverpool following their first loss in 11 games across all competitions.
United had suffered 13 losses in all competitions this season, their highest number before Christmas since 1930, following their crushing 2-0 loss to West Ham.
Ten Hag was under more pressure after that miserable run since it was thought that he was trying to persuade British millionaire Jim Ratcliffe to stick with him.
On Christmas Eve, Ratcliffe consented to pay £1.03 billion ($1.3 billion) for a 25% interest in United.
In the first indication of Ratcliffe’s interest, INEOS director of sport Dave Brailsford was in the directors box at Old Trafford.
“Marginal gains” was Brailsford’s catchphrase when he managed the British Cycling team, thus Ten Hag’s hard-earned victory was crucial to his attempt to stay in the job.
Hojlund Redemption
A player that the young Rasmus would be proud to look up to ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H1LXCJrY0Z
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 26, 2023
United’s flaws were on full display when they fell behind in typically sloppy fashion after 21 minutes.
Following Bruno Fernandes’ unnecessary free-kick, McGinn’s right flank inswinging strike ought to have been cleared.
But as the ball sailed into the far corner unharmed, United goalkeeper Andre Onana and his defenders were caught off guard.
In the 26th minute, United once again displayed appalling defending as Clement Lenglet headed McGinn’s corner into the six-yard box uncontested. Dendoncker then skillfully back-heeled a finish past Onana to score his first goal against Villa.
Boos rained down on United’s players as Ten Hag stood ashen-faced on the touchline.
Marcus Rashford, who has only scored twice this season, was starting for United for the first time in six games since early December.
Emiliano Martinez parried another strike from the forward just before halftime, giving Rashford a great opportunity to cut the lead short.
Early in the second half, United sorely needed a goal, and Garnacho found it when he headed home Rashford’s low cross in the 59th minute.
To keep United alive, Onana made a vital save off of Leon Bailey’s shot. Ten Hag’s team took advantage of the break, equalizing in the 71st minute.
After Garnacho’s cross from Fernandes was deflected into his direction, Diego Carlos was struck by the winger’s 10-yard effort that sped past Martinez.
Jonny Evans, a defender for United, stopped McGinn’s shot at the goal line, allowing Hojlund to have his comeback.
Ten Hag sighed in relief as a United corner rebounded off McGinn and towards Hojlund, who turned to caress a lovely volley in off the post, setting off wild celebrations from the Dane and his teammates.