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Manchester United (Source: Twitter)
In a remarkable turnaround, Manchester United orchestrated a spirited second-half comeback to secure a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Tuesday. Despite conceding two goals within the first 26 minutes at Old Trafford, United managed to emerge triumphant.
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In the first match following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's commitment to acquire a stake of potentially 25% in the 20-time league champions, Erik ten Hag's team had a dismal beginning. They faced disapproval from their own supporters in the first half. However, the atmosphere took a complete turn with two goals from Alejandro Garnacho and a decisive winner from Rasmus Hojlund.
“I think our fans they deserved it. They are always behind us and we’ve had so many setbacks. So, I’m really pleased from the performance of this team. What kind of team can handle and deal with the amount of setbacks we have had? They are resilient, they have showed character and their personality to turn it around," United manager Ten Hag said.
Manchester United moved to sixth place
Aston Villa seized the lead with goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker in the 21st and 26th minutes respectively. McGinn's goal originated from a direct free kick on the right, where the midfielder's cross bounced in the area and found its way into the net without any additional touch. Villa extended its lead five minutes later, exploiting United's defensive lapses as Dendoncker redirected Clement Lenglet's header into the goal from a corner.
Initially positioned to move up to second place and level on points with leader Liverpool, third-place Villa's prospects changed drastically in the second half. Garnacho, initially denied a goal after halftime due to an offside ruling by VAR, quickly redeemed himself as United intensified their offensive efforts.
In the 59th minute, Bruno Fernandes set up Marcus Rashford, who delivered a cross to the advancing Garnacho for a goal at the far post. Garnacho secured his second in the 71st, courtesy of another Fernandes-influenced play and a deflection that beat Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Hojlund sealed the comeback in the 82nd with a left-footed volley from a corner, marking his first league goal since his $82 million move from Atalanta in the offseason.