Our 3️⃣ points as McTominay delivers more magic for Man Utd at Villa | OneFootball

Manchester United defeated Aston Villa on the road as a late winner from Scott McTominay proved to be the difference between the sides.

This is what we made of it.

Not the result expected

It is safe to say before kick-off in this one, an away win didn't seem to be the likeliest outcome.

Aston Villa may have faltered a little of late but in Birmingham, they've been almost impossible to beat under Unai Emery, with just one league defeat this season and Arsenal and Manchester City both having tasted defeat in the Second City.

In addition, and somewhat incredibly, Erik ten Hag came into the game having never won away from home in the league against a team who started the matchday in ninth place or higher - so a United win wasn't exactly the obvious prediction.

For large spells too, this went with the expectations as Villa had the better of proceedings and in truth, only an inspired performance from André Onana, who pulled off several world class saves, and an impressive outing from Man of the Match Harry Maguire kept the hosts from troubling the scoreboard.

When they did eventually equalise, the Villans appeared favourites to go on and win it but it is a testament to United that they did not allow that to happen and went on to pick up the marquee win they've been waiting for.

It was at the expense of a Villa side who will not only be wondering how they lost but pondering what has happened to their fortress: they've lost three on the spin to start 2024.

No arguing with results

McTominay hasn't always been flavour of the month with his own support but keeps showing that he is deserving of much more respect than he appears to receive.

Even lately when he has found himself back on the bench due to Kobbie Mainoo's emergence and Casemiro's return, the Scotland star still finds a way to make an impact - this time thumping home the fantastic late header which won it.

Since discovering his goalscoring touch on international duty 12 months ago, he has been reborn in front of goal and after scoring twice in 70 Premier League games before this season, he now has seven in 17.

He is United's top scorer in the league and his seven goals are also more than he recorded in his previous three seasons combined with six.

No other player has scored more off the bench either in the competition in the current campaign with the midfielder netting four as a substitute - something a certain former manager of his knew a thing or two about.

As a starter or a substitute, he keeps producing.

Højlund hits his stride

It took Højlund a long time to get his first Premier League goal - the previous meeting between these sides after Christmas in fact.

On that occasion, he produced an instinctive volleyed finish to open his account following a corner and it was a very similar story with his winning goal in this one.

Patience was needed with the former Atalanta man (and it is easy to forget he only turned 21 last week), not helped by a price tag that was none of his doing.

But he has now netted in five straight games in the Premier League to become the second youngest player ever to do so after Nicolas Anelka with Arsenal.

His trident and understanding with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho is also improving with every outing.

United have yet to lose a game they have started together.