Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa: Hojlund’s first Premier League goal caps

A new era began at Old Trafford after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company, INEOS, announced it had bought a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United in exchange for sporting control.

Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’ sporting director, watched on tonight as Erik ten Hag’s side clawed back a two-goal deficit to beat Aston Villa 3-2, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring his first Premier League goal for the winner. Unai Emery’s side failed to take all three points after scoring the opening goal of a game for the first time this season yet are still third in the table at the halfway stage.

John McGinn put Villa ahead in the 21st minute with a beautifully worked free kick that evaded everyone in the box, and Leander Dendoncker added a second with a deft finish less than five minutes later — prompting a chorus of boos around Old Trafford.

Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal ruled out for offside just after half-time but ended his side’s goal drought just before the hour-mark and equalised in the 71st minute. Then Hojlund stepped up with eight minutes of normal time left to cap a remarkable turnaround.

The Athletic’s Carl Anka, Jacob Tanswell and Thom Harris dissect the action…

Relief for Hojlund — and United

Hojlund had gone more than 1,000 minutes without a Premier League goal. He is a youngster struggling at a time when United’s attacking veterans are either absent or in bad form; a £64million ($81.4m; €73.8m at the current exchange rate) signing with a price tag getting heavier by the game.

A chance in the 62nd minute saw Garnacho released down the right but the Dane did not commit — apparently unsure which post to run to, or whether he might be of more value holding his run and waiting for space to open up near the penalty spot. Garnacho’s shot eventually went wide.

Then it happened. Garnacho’s brilliant brace. And a sense of belief.

A quickly-taken corner. A deflection off McGinn and the ball fell into the path of Hojlund. A quick left-footed swipe saw the ball go in off the post.

It was Hojlund’s first Premier League goal, after playing in it for 1,037 minutes. Old Trafford erupted in joy and the 20-year-old’s relief was obvious.

When Hojlund was substituted off in the 89th minute, he was applauded. He needed that goal. The fanbase did too. Ten Hag most definitely as well.

This is still a team with multiple teething problems up front. But three goals and a valuable three points will give them some breathing room.

Carl Anka

Two set-piece goals. Why are Villa so strong in this area?

In some ways, Villa’s second goal underlined their cohesion and buy-in on their manager’s methods. Turned in by Dendoncker after Ezri Konsa initially acted as the blocker, preventing Kobbie Mainoo from tracking Clement Lenglet, who then managed to find himself free at the back post to head towards Dendoncker.

Emery celebrated with set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, the man responsible for the success behind…