Sports

3-2 Garnacho scores, Hojlund comes back, Manchester United revives

Inaki Dufour

Sports Desk, Dec 26 (EFE). – Almost by accident, Aston Villa was 2-0 up in the first half hour of their visit to Old Trafford. Manchester United had been the victim of incredible self-destruction but better on the field, as it later showed, taking back the game and winning (3-2) in an epic comeback.

First came two goals from Alejandro Garnacho, 1:2 and 2:2 between the 58th and 71st minutes, he levelled the duel in front of a roaring crowd, which finally went wild when Hojlund made it 3:2 in the 82nd minute.

The mirage of Emery’s Aston Villa faded in the second half, as did the elbow-to-elbow battle for the top three, just three points behind Liverpool and the only defeat in their last 14 games going into Tuesday’s trip to Old Traffford.

The initial 2-0 lead proved to be a fluke with Aston Villa’s first shot on target in the 22nd minute coming from a McGinn free-kick.

Bruno Fernandes protested to the referee. At the start of the game, another problem with Unai Emery’s strategy, Leon Bailey stood behind the goalkeeper like a “mental” obstacle, offside.

But he was out of it as soon as McGinn hit the ball. He didn’t intervene at all. The goal, which was reviewed by the VAR, finally went up on the scoreboard like a blow to United.

It made it 2-0 in the 26th minute. Aston Villa didn’t deserve it, and neither did United.

Clement Lenglet’s calm shot, without an opponent within two meters, showed him with a vision inappropriate for this level.

The French central defender put it in the middle of the small area, where Dendocker finished, also too alone for the place where he should score 0-2, no responsibility for Onana, but for his defense.

Too much punishment for United, which was the most promising before and after the match.

A few centimeters, due to Garnacho’s offside, robbed United of a 2-1 lead at the start of the second half.

A great collective action by the local team, full of the eagerness of the Argentine winger to receive the ball from Rashford, face Martínez and beat him.

It wasn’t worth it. Another blow for the Red Devils, who never wavered in their attack.

Bruno Fernandes tried his luck from the edge of the box. Martínez caught it, quick before to get in front of Rashford.

Bruno, the best of the reaction, then made it 1-2 with a pass to Rashford, who in turn assisted Garnacho. It was the 58th minute. Old Trafford was vibrating.

The Argentine was still 2-2 up when Hojlund called for the pass, not the shot. In the 70th minute, he made things right when he collected a rebound and finished with his right foot, with his soul.

It is true that Evans saved the 2-1 with a miraculous left foot moments later, but as much as the game, the chances or the ambition, the 0-0, the 0-1, the 0-2, the 1-2 and the 2-2 belonged to United, who got the reward: in the 82nd minute, Hojlund scored the winner and announced United’s resurgence. No confirmation yet.

– Data Sheet:

3 – Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot; Mainoo (McTominay, 81), Eriksen (Gore, 94); Rashford (Antony, 81), Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho (Mejbri, 94); Hojlund (Kambwala, 89).

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