Rasmus Hojlund’s long-awaited first Premier League goal completed a stunning comeback as Manchester United recovered from 2-0 down to beat high-flying Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Villa appeared to be heading level on points with league leaders Liverpool after goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put them 2-0 up inside 26 minutes, but United found a rousing response in the second half, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring twice before Hojlund won it in the 82nd minute.
The result was badly needed by Erik ten Hag after four games without a win or even a goal, and with INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford watching on from the director’s box two days after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent investment in the club – and control of footballing matters – was confirmed.
And the goal was badly needed by £72million man Hojlund, who had gone 16 games without finding the net in domestic competition, despite finishing United’s ill-fated Champions League campaign as their top scorer.
At half-time, boos had rung out around the stadium with United seemingly on their way to a 14th defeat of the season.
By full-time, there was an almighty cheer and United, who have rarely seemed far from a crisis this season, were up to sixth in the table.
Ratcliffe’s minority shareholding brings the promise of change but it is not the clean break from the hated Glazer family most United fans crave. Chants against their American owners surfaced almost immediately after kick-off.
Brailsford, due to take a seat on the football club board once Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent minority stake-holding is ratified by the Premier League, would have been worried by what he saw as Villa made scoring against United look all too simple.
The opening goal came 21 minutes in. United seemed too easily distracted by Leon Bailey standing behind Andre Onana as McGinn lined up a free-kick wide on the right and, as Bailey sprinted away, the ball curled its way through the crowd and into the net.
Barely five minutes later, the second goal looked even more straightforward as McGinn’s corner found Clement Lenglet unmarked at the back post, and he headed it back in for Dendoncker to score his first Villa goal with an almost lazy flick of the boot.
United belatedly stirred into action but could not score before the break as Marcus Rashford, starting for the first time since December 2, passed up two opportunities.
Two minutes into the second half Rashford teed up Garnacho, who rounded Emiliano Martinez to finish but VAR found the Argentinian had been a fraction offside.
United took encouragement though. Martinez was fortunate to just beat Rashford to the ball in the 54th minute, leaving the England forward in a heap.
Rashford was slow to get up, but moments later helped United get back into the game, racing down the left and playing the ball across for Garnacho, onside this time, to sweep home.
Onana had to make a smart save to deny Bailey an immediate response but United were now on top in what had become a frantic encounter.
The equaliser came after 71 minutes. Clement Lenglet could not properly cut out Bruno Fernandes’ cross, and the ball bounced kindly for Garnacho to hit a left-footed shot which deflected off Diego Carlos to beat Martinez.
Emery, frantically bouncing along his touchline in the first half, was now calling for calm. It almost worked for Villa as Alex Moreno sprang forward down the left and found McGinn, whose goal-bound shot was flicked clear by Jonny Evans.
Evans then played a role in the winning goal. The Northern Ireland defender got a flick on Fernandes’ corner, which then struck McGinn’s knee, bouncing up for Hojlund to hook home on the volley, delivering relief to all in United red.
Inter Miami 1-0 D.C. United: Super-sub Campana seals late win
Inter Miami snatched a 1-0 win over D.C. United thanks to Leonardo Campana’s stoppage-time strike.
Campana had an instant impact after coming on in the 93rd minute as he volleyed in the winner just 25 seconds later.
Lionel Messi returned from a knee injury that kept him out against Orlando City but struggled to have his usual impact as Miami only managed eight shots.
Cristian Dajome had come closest to scoring for D.C. minutes after his introduction, but his dipping shot sailed over the bar.
Miami remain a point clear of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, while D.C. sit ninth, a huge 14 points behind the league leaders.
Data Debrief: Miami continue to set the pace
Miami left it late to get back to winning ways but extended their unbeaten run to nine games. It is their longest run without defeat in the competition.
D.C. have now conceded eight goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half - only Montreal (10) and San Jose Earthquakes (10) have conceded more in that time in the MLS this season.
Montero to coach Juventus until end of the season
Paolo Montero will take charge of Serie A side Juventus for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri.
Juventus sacked their former head coach Allegri on Friday over his behaviour during and after this week's Coppa Italia final in which he was sent off, ending a long period of speculation over his future.
Montero, who coaches Juventus' Under-19s team, will take charge for their remaining two matches, at Bologna on Monday and against Monza at home on May 26.
The 52-year-old Uruguayan won four Serie A titles playing for Juventus as a defender from 1996 to 2005 and will take his first training session on Sunday.
"Paolo is a Juventus legend, firstly on the pitch, and someone who has long been a bearer of the club's DNA on the bench," Juve said in a statement.
"Best of luck, Paolo!"
Juve are assured of Champions League qualification but could still finish between third and fifth in Serie A this season.
Guardiola: Foden can still get better after Player of the Year award
Pep Guardiola thinks Phil Foden can still get better, after the 23-year-old winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year.
Foden has been a pivotal part of City’s title challenge this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in the top-flight in 2023-24.
It is the youngster’s most prolific scoring season for City, while only six players have bettered Foden’s goal haul in the Premier League.
When asked about the strides that Foden has made this season, leading him to the award, Guardiola praised the England international’s influence on the squad.
"Obviously, he makes a step forward as a football player. In terms of minutes or time, but he's decisive in winning games," Guardiola said.
"Maybe before it was a glimpse of action, but now it's consistent. That is the truth, but they still have a margin. Sometimes his game is overexcited, it's over, and you have to be more calm because his excitement he has for himself, but we'll have question of time, but this season has been really, really important. Really, really important."
Foden has bettered his tally of 11 goals from last season and leads City’s squad for chances created this campaign with 68.
"He's moving forward, but I had the feeling he can be better, and I think he can do it because I've said many times, that he loves football," Guardiola added.
"He enjoys being on the pitch, and I think the feeling doesn't like when you have the day off.
"He likes to be in the training session doing less or more and I had the feeling it still can be better."
Manchester City can win a fourth-consecutive Premier League title on Sunday against West Ham, if they can match or better Arsenal's result.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
