STRONG BRU
Fernandes stars in thriller
DO NOT try telling Bruno Fernandes to take it easy because the World Cup is just over a week away.
Fernandes played like this was his last game as he inspired Manchester United’s rousing comeback to atone for Sunday’s defeat at Villa Park.
He made the first of United’s two equalisers before he scored their decisive third goal to help United through to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
On a night when Cristiano Ronaldo was selected for his fifth World Cup and given the evening off by Erik ten Hag, Fernandes made up for his fellow Portuguese’s absence. He showed the desire which was lacking in United’s loss to Villa on Sunday. Marcus Rashford celebrated his World Cup call-up by scoring United’s second in front of England assistant manager Steve Holland.
The tie exploded into action when Villa scored in the 48th minute and United equalised a minute later.
Jacob Ramsey played Ollie Watkins in and the striker produced an excellent finish to score past Martin Dubravka on his United debut.
United levelled when Diogo Dalot sent Fernandes away down the right and he centred for Anthony Martial to slot home. Villa hit back on 61 minutes when Ashley Young swung over a cross to the back post and Leon Bailey, who had been on the pitch for only two minutes, headed the ball back across for Dalot to divert it into his own net.
United equalised six minutes later with a goal from Rashford. Young tackled Christian Eriksen and the ball broke for Rashford to evade Tyrone Mings and Calum Chambers to fire home.
It was all United and Robin Olsen saved from Fernandes and Harry Maguire before the goalkeeper dropped a clanger to allow the home side to take the lead 12 minutes from time.
Olsen kicked the ball straight to Alejandro Garnacho, who fed Fernandes and his shot was deflected in off Mings.
Scott McTominay made sure of victory in the first minute of stoppage time when he netted from Garnacho’s cross. MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Dubravka 6; Dalot 5, Maguire 5, Lindelof 5 (Martinez 87), Malacia 6; Fred 6 (Eriksen 62, 6), McTominay 6; Fernandes 8, Van de Beek 5 (Elanga 62, 6), Rashford 8 (Casemiro 82); Martial 7 (Garnacho 62, 6). Goals: Martial 49, Rashford 67, Fernandes 79, McTominay 90.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Olsen 6; Young 7 (Cash 74), Konsa 6 (Mings 59, 5), Chambers 5, Augustinsson 6 (Digne 80); Ramsey 7 (Bailey 59, 7), Luiz 7, Kamara 6, McGinn 6; Watkins 7, Ings 7 (Buendia 59, 6). Goals: Watkins 48, Dalot 61 og.