Manchester United and Aston Villa delivered a borefest before the break and a classic six-goal cup thriller after half-time, ending with the lively substitute Alejandro Garnacho scoring the goals from Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, who scored Erik ten’s side Hag scored last 16 where they will face Burnley.
Robin Olsen was Villa’s culprit for Fernandes’ goal that made it 3-2: the keeper’s sloppy pass went straight to Garnacho and after Fernandes had picked up from the winger, his shot was deflected by Tyrone Mings. Then, in stoppage time, McTominay slid home from Garnacho’s sweet ball.
Speaking of 18-year-old Garnacho, Ten Hag said: “He’s making an impact with two assists, some dribbles, some hind legs but also some things he needs to improve on but it’s pretty obvious tonight we’re going with his development and Performance are satisfied and he can contribute to the team. All teams need players like [him] – he can overplay them and [in] the final decisions he can do the right things. In addition, he can take over the defense and maintain discipline.”
Ten Hag was also happy with Marcus Rashford’s World Cup selection after scoring his eighth goal of the season. “It’s really important – and I’m really happy for all the players going to the World Cup – it’s great, the more players for us the better,” said the Dutchman.
United’s quest to avenge Sunday’s insipid 3-1 Premier League defeat at Villa saw Anthony Martial as an attacking spearhead in just his second start of an injury-plagued season and his early touch was sharp, twice being passed the ball to him and twice he passed it on to a colleague.
There was also smoothness in a United corner routine, with Fernandes putting the ball in briefly to Rashford, whose cross landed on Harry Maguire’s head.
Unai Emery’s team grabbed possession ideas and suddenly they were turned around. Fernandes’ ball for Rashford was given to Tyrell Malacia on the overlap and his cross was headed to the roof of Olsen’s net by a Diogo Dalot deflection.
Ollie Watkins lifts the ball over Martin Dubravka to give Aston Villa the lead at Manchester United. Photo: Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesThe competition was a test of United’s ability to put down opponents and Villa’s ability to counter-attack to unmask Maguire and the rest of the back line. It was therefore surprising when Ludwig Augustinsson created Villa’s best moment whilst camping in United’s half. He won a corner down the left which Douglas Luiz seemingly sent straight into goal until McTominay came clear from under the bar.
A second corner followed and this time, as the delivery flew out of the box, Ashley Young unloaded a volley that always missed. Villa was soon back in their territory, gratefully watching as Malacia smashed the ball wide, a Fernandes heel meant nothing and Rashford squandered a 20-yard free-kick as an aimless first half ended.
The second half could certainly be less monotonous: that was the hope and that is exactly what happened as Villa charged forward in a breathless 60 seconds before United pushed them back. At first the home side thought Boubacar Kamara had been playing handball after capturing the ball and fed Jacob Ramsey, who unlocked United’s rearguard with a pass that rushed forward Ollie Watkins to play the opener over Martin Dubravka . After United’s complaints faded and they restarted, Dalot immediately let Fernandes loose on the bottom right and his weighted ball was steered home by Martial.
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Draw of the fourth round of the Carabao Cup
Demonstrate
Wolves vs Gillingham
Southampton versus Lincoln
Blackburn v Nottingham Forest
Newcastle versus Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Liverpool
Manchester United vs Burnley
MK Dons vs Leicester
Charlton vs Brighton
Ties will be played in the week beginning December 19th
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Suddenly – and thankfully – the tie was alive, the liveliness of the crowd raising the volume of Old Trafford as both sides raced towards each other at pace. Emery made changes, one of which, Leon Bailey, was instrumental in Villa retaking the lead. Young tapped forward and floated the ball towards the back post and the striker headed for goal 90 seconds after entering. Dalot tried to clear but could only beat Dubravka.
Rashford missed a gilded chance to equalize United’s second by blasting wide before making amends. The hapless Mings slipped and Rashford shook off Calum Chambers to intervene. Mings, who failed to make Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, suffered further pain when his leg inadvertently helped Fernande’s punch beat the unlucky Olsen. In the 91st minute, McTominay made no mistake and left home support jubilant.
Speaking of his World Cup A call-up, an enthusiastic Rashford said: “It was this morning [when he found out] – If you play at United, England is just around the corner. It’s going to be a massive month for us, I’m looking forward to it.”