Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay silence their critics by firing Man Utd to crucial Aston Villa win

Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay silence their critics by firing Man Utd to crucial Aston Villa win

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man Utd beat Aston Villa in Premier League clash

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 11/02/2024

- 18:30

The pair both netted as the Red Devils claimed all three points

Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay both netted as Manchester United continued their recent improvement with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Hojlund put the Red Devils ahead in the 17th minute, converting from close range after good work from Harry Maguire.


Villa looked to have earned a point when Douglas Luiz struck in the second half.

But United scored a dramatic late winner through Scott McTominay to secure victory. GB News now takes a look at five talking points from the Premier League clash.

Hojlund continues to come good

Rasmus Hojlund Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring Man Utd's opener in their Premier League win over Aston Villa

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Hojlund has had to contend with plenty of mockery at United ever since his huge move from Atalanta back in the summer.

But the Denmark international is silencing his critics every week and impressed at the tip of Erik ten Hag's attack.

His goal showed a predatory side to Hojlund's game, with the 21-year-old reacting quickest to strike the ball past Emiliano Martinez.

Sure, Red Devils fans can be forgiven for wishing the club had signed Harry Kane.

But Hojlund's recent form suggests he could yet end up being money well spent in the coming months and years ahead.

Academy players shining for United

United have one of the best youth academies in the whole of world football.

And players such as McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are making their mark for the Red Devils as they look to secure Champions League football for next season.

McTominay got the winner, producing a thunderbolt header to silence the home crowd and continue to prove his worth. He's a divisive figure but his goalscoring record this season is remarkable, with the Scotland international netting crucial goals throughout the course of the campaign.

Garnacho was a constant menace on the ring wing, a position he seems to have made his own.

A penny for Antony's thoughts, with the Brazilian unlikely to get back into Ten Hag's starting XI any time soon.

And Mainoo was once again remarkably composed in the middle of the park, showing maturity beyond his years as his side dug out a crucual result.

Villa's home form a worry

Villa have done well to be around the Champions League places this season.

But their brilliant home form has been a strong foundation for the side and, now, it all seems to be going wrong.

Villa were unbeaten at home until just a few weeks ago.

Yet they've now lost three on the bounce, with the result against United coming after losses to Newcastle and Chelsea.

Unai Emery will need to fix that, fast, if Villa are to finish in the top four come May.

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Andre Onana deserves credit

McTominay Hojlund

Scott McTominay celebrates with Rasmus Hojlund as Man Utd beat Aston Villa

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Andre Onana, like Hojlund and McTominay, has received plenty of flak over the course of the season so far.

And he's another player who appears to have turned a corner, with United far better off as a result.

Onana saved excellently from John McGinn, palming away the Scotland international's thunderbolt effort in the first half.

And he made two crucial saves to deny Ollie Watkins, too.

Though Onana was unable to prevent Luiz's goal, his display still bodes well for the future.

Luke Shaw injury a blow for United

Aston Villa Unai Emery Man Utd

Aston VIlla boss Unai Emery has plenty to ponder after his side's Premier League defeat to Man Utd

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Luke Shaw is vital to United.

And the sight of the England international being withdrawn at half time will sorry supporters, as well as Ten Hag.

The Red Devils are already without stand-in Tyrell Malacia, while they sent Sergio Reguilon away in January.

United now have a dilemma at left-back, with Victor Lindelof replacing Shaw.

Leon Bailey didn't test the Sweden international enough - but other teams will.

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