Manchester United faced another setback in the Premier League as they suffered their second consecutive loss, leaving them trailing fourth-place Aston Villa by 11 points, severely denting their chances of securing a top-four finish.
The game initially looked promising for United, as Marcus Rashford’s early goal put them in the lead, which they maintained until halftime under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag.
However, their advantage was short-lived, with the hosts equalizing just 10 minutes into the second half, putting United under pressure. They ultimately succumbed to a late goal from Phil Foden and a third strike from Erling Haaland.
While there were some standout performances, notably from goalkeeper Andre Onana who made crucial saves and contributed to the opening goal, not all players shone consistently throughout the match.
Raphael Varane delivered a strong defensive performance, but it wasn’t sufficient to prevent City from scoring. Conversely, Victor Lindelof struggled in an unfamiliar left-back role, and Casemiro’s display fell below his previous standards.
Kobbie Mainoo showed promise and adaptability, while Scott McTominay’s midfield presence stabilized United’s play, albeit at the expense of their attacking threat.
Alejandro Garnacho had a subdued game, and Bruno Fernandes couldn’t assert his usual influence as United struggled to retain possession.
Although Rashford’s early goal stood out, his overall performance was deemed satisfactory, albeit with limited impact beyond the early goal.
