Manchester United were shocked by a late Aston Villa winner as they lost 1-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Kortney Hause gave the Villans the lead in the 88th minute with a superb header, which eventually turned out to be the winner. Manchester United were handed a massive opportunity to level things up when Hause was adjudged to have handled the ball in the Villa box.
But Bruno Fernandes shockingly blazed the resultant spot-kick over the bar and into the Stretford End, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side tasted their first Premier League defeat of the season.
Let’s take a look at how home team’ players fared in the Manchester United player ratings:
Manchester United player ratings vs Aston Villa
David de Gea- 6.5/10
Made a good stop to deny Ollie Watkins from close range after Harry Maguire made a poor back pass. He made another decent save in the second half but was helpless for Aston Villa’s goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6/10
Wan-Bissaka was one of the very few Manchester United players who kept the ball well amidst Villa’s press. He was as usual defensively sound but didn’t offer going forward.
Raphael Varane – 6.5/10
Varane made some vital interceptions and headed clearances in the box, whilst also composed with the ball at his feet. Another assured outing from the Frenchman but he’ll be gutted to lose the game.
Harry Maguire – 4/10
A shaky afternoon for Harry Maguire who had troubles dealing with the pace and aerial ability of Villa’s two front men. Forced off injured in the second half.
Luke Shaw – 4/10
Shaw was a good avenue down the left for Manchester United, as Villa gave him and Paul Pogba a lot of joy. However, the Englishman wasn’t at his best and made few erratic passes. He was taken off with an injury in the first half with Diogo Dalot replacing him at left-back.
Scott McTominay- 4/10
McTominay was anonymous throughout the afternoon, as he lacked the energy and intensity to get a hold of the game. Subbed off for Edinson Cavani in the second half.
Fred- 6.5/10
Tigerish, energetic, and for a change, tidy on the ball to keep things moving from midfield. Made some key interceptions and won the ball the back a fair few times. He was booked for a foul on John McGinn.
Bruno Fernandes- 5/10
Fernandes picked up some important spaces in the middle of the park and sprayed some excellent balls for his teammates. Linked up well at times with the likes of Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Stepped up to take the penalty ahead of Ronaldo, the Portuguese midfielder surprisingly lacked composure and blasted it over the bar that should have given the Reds a lucky draw.
Mason Greenwood- 6.5/10
Greenwood looked the sharpest out of all United forwards as he never hesitated to take on his man and ran with the ball at the Villa defence fearlessly.
Building the pressure! 🧱#MUFC | #MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/oSbytozIFq
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 25, 2021
The youngster was at times selfish when he could have slipped the ball to his teammates in promising scoring areas. Tried way too hard to do things but failed.
Paul Pogba- 4/10
Paul Pogba enjoyed a lot of space and time down the left flank in the first half but never really threatened the Villa backline. Sprayed some lovely passes and kept things moving in the second half but the Frenchman was clearly not at the top of his game against Dean Smith’s side on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo- 4/10
Apart from a few lovely touches on the ball to link up play, Cristiano Ronaldo, in truth, was anonymous the whole afternoon. He was well marshalled by the Villa defence as they limited the Portuguese superstar’s movement on and off the ball.
Substitutes
Diogo Dalot- 4/10
Replaced Shaw in the first half, and apart from a few surging runs down the left, Dalot found himself defending most of the game.
Victor Lindelof- 4/10
Replaced Maguire after the break. Lindelof looked nervous from the moment he came on the pitch, failing to settle down in the game.
Edinson Cavani- 2/10
Cavani lost his marker for Kortney Hause’s header before winning the late penalty, which Fernandes missed.
