Man Utd's best and worst players in narrow win over Aston Villa
Manchester United secured a vital 1-0 win over an in-form Aston Villa side on Sunday at a rainy Old Trafford.
The Red Devils put in a particularly impressive showing in the first half of the clash with Unai Emery's side, and after creating a few good chances, took at deserved lead in the 39th minute through Bruno Fernandes.
Villa grew into the game after the interval, making it a much more even contest, but United defended well and kept the visitors at bay to chalk up a huge Champions League qualification boosting win. They now sit fourth in the table on 63 points, nine ahead of Tottenham who have just five games to play this season.
The result was just what Ten Hag's players needed, but it wasn't a complete performance by any means. Here were Man Utd's best and worst performers according to 90min's player ratings.
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Man Utd's best player vs Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes: 8/10
For a second game in a row, Bruno Fernandes was the best player on the pitch for Manchester United.
After a masterclass on Thursday evening against Tottenham, Fernandes was once again at the heart of everything positive the Red Devils conjured up in the final third against Villa on Sunday.
Drifting in from the right flank, the captain cause Villa a boatload of problems with his clever movement in and around the penalty area and quick balls in behind to Marcus Rashford.
Fernandes would also bag the winning goal, stealing into to fire home a loose ball in the box, to earn his side a crucial three points.
Honourable mention
Victor Lindelof 8/10
With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez out injured, there's been plenty of fuss and noise over Manchester United's options in central defence.
Harry Maguire is forever under the microscope for making mistakes, so the one to step in and actually make a difference has been Victor Lindelof. Fortunately for Ten Hag, United's supporters and all of his team-mates, stepping into the breach appears to be something the Swede is relishing.
A brilliant goalline clearance kept United's lead in tact, but the most striking thing about Lindelof right now is his composure and decision making. Long may it continue.
Man Utd's worst player vs Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho - 4/10
It was a rather disappointing showing, however, for Jadon Sancho, considering he saw plenty of the ball against Villa.
While he showed the odd moment of quality there was a general lack of urgency shown on the ball by the ex-Borussia Dortmund man in and around Villa's penalty area.
That lack of urgency was perhaps best exemplified in the second half when, after bursting into the penalty box one-on-one with Ashley Young, instead of having a pop at goal or trying to find Rashford at the post Sancho opted to trap the ball, fake two shots, allow Villa to re-group, and then passed it out to Tyrell Malacia instead.
Sancho has plenty of time to turn things around United but his inconsistency is starting to get people talking.
Dishonourable mention
David de Gea - 5/10
It might seem a little harsh to say David de Gea was one of Manchester United's worst players, because truth be told he didn't have a lot to do in goal.
The Spaniard only had one save to make, which he duly delivered, and was otherwise kept busy by spraying the ball around with his feet.
De Gea's passing ability has been questioned time and time again over the past 18 months to two years, owing to some real hospital passes in previous games - away at Sevilla in the Europa League, we're looking at you - and it's clear Ten Hag's trust in playing out from the back is diminishing.
On Sunday, De Gea played just 14 short passes over the course of 90 minutes - he completed 100% of those by the way - but had a long ball success rate of just four from 11 (36%). Work to do.