Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa - Player ratings as Red Devils kick off new year with exciting win

Manchester United claimed all three points in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford on Friday night, as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 to go level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

It was an entertaining first half with Villa edging the play, but it was the Red Devils who broke the deadlock just before half time. Aaron Wan-Bissaka broke down the right wing and put in a cross that found Anthony Martial, who stooped low to head beyond Emi Martinez.

Villa found an equaliser in the second half when a quickly taken free-kick found Jack Grealish, who drilled a cross low into the box for Bertrand Traore to control and slot past David De Gea.

However, United got straight back into the lead just three minutes later though when Paul Pogba was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Douglas Luiz, and that man Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot to win the game.

MANCHESTER UNITED

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

David De Gea (GK) - 7/10 - Super save to deny Ollie Watkins at 1-0 and another to deny Matty Cash late on.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 7/10 - Assist for United's opener but went to sleep as Villa equalised. Did extremely well to deny El-Ghazi at the back post to keep it 2-1.

Eric Bailly (CB) - 7/10 - Excellent performance from the Ivorian as he made a fourth start in a row for the first time since 2017. Kept Watkins quiet for the most part and a stunning block at the death to save the points.

Harry Maguire (CB) - 7/10 - His good form continues with another strong performance. The England star kept the ball well and dominant in the air too.

Luke Shaw (LB) - 8/10 - Arguably his best performance in a Manchester United shirt. Constantly a threat on the overlap and solid defensively throughout.

2. Midfielders

Scott McTominay (DM) - 4/10 - Really struggled for the home side defensively and was poor in possession. Subbed after 65 minutes.

Fred (CM) - 7/10 - Did the hard yards defensively and made more interceptions than anyone else on the pitch.

Paul Pogba (CM) - 9/10 - Best player on the pitch. The World Cup winner had a big hand in anything good Manchester United did, including a wonderful bit of skill in the build up to the opening goal. He also won the penalty too.

Bruno Fernandes (CAM) - 8/10 - Goal from the spot but as usual was involved in everything United did going forward. Where would they be without him?

3. Forwards

Marcus Rashford (ST) - 6/10 - Electric on the ball but never quite clicked for him in front of goal. Always dangerous though.

Anthony Martial (ST) - 7/10 - Was pretty quiet but took his only chance with a fine header to score the opening goal.

4. Substitutes

Nemanja Matic (DM) - 6/10 - Came on and took over well in midfield. Completed every pass he attempted as United closed out the game and took all three points.

Daniel James (LW) - N/A

Axel Tuanzebe (CB) - N/A

ASTON VILLA

5. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Emiliano Martinez (GK) - 8/10 - Made seven saves in total, including a stunning one to deny Fernandes' effort at 2-1 down but could do nothing about either of the goals.

Matt Cash (RB) - 6/10 - Tried hard to attack but struggled to contain the Pogba-Shaw duo all night.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - 5/10 - Missed the clearance for United's opener and then missed a big headed chance towards the end. Not his night.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 5/10 - Dealt with the physicality of Martial well throughout the night, winning three out of four aerial duels.

Matt Targett (LB) - 6/10 - Caused Wan-Bissaka problems with his overlapping runs but his end product wasn't with him.

6. Midfielders

Douglas Luiz (CM) - 6/10 - Defended well in midfield and his passing was very good throughout, completing 89% of his passes.

John McGinn (CM) - 6/10 - Villa had the better of the game in midfield for about 20 minutes in the first half but they faded as the game went on.

Jack Grealish (CAM) - 8/10 - The visitors' best player once again. Got an assist and tried to create throughout, but couldn't quite get them over the line.

7. Forwards

Bertrand Traore (RW) - 6/10 - Scored the equaliser with his only real chance of the game but was relatively quiet for the rest of the night.

Anwar El-Ghazi (LW) - 5/10 - Struggled to make any sort of impact throughout the game as his scoring streak came to an end.

Ollie Watkins (ST) - 5/10 - Ran the channels well but never got the better of Bailly or Maguire, apart from one header that went wide.

8. Substitutes

Jacob Ramsey (RW) - 5/10

Keinan Davis (ST) - N/A