Man Utd win despite being two goals down

It wasn't until his 15th Premier League game that Hojlund scored his first goal, but it was an important one. From a corner kick by captain Bruno Fernandes on the right, centre-back Jonny Evans headed the ball past the visiting captain John McGinn, who failed to save it. Hojlund quickly turned and volleyed the ball into the far corner, hitting the inside of the post and into the net, sealing a 3-2 victory for Man Utd.

As if a burden had been lifted, Hojlund, with a red face, ran towards the audience and continuously punched his fists in the air and shouted. His teammates around him did the same, even goalkeeper Andre Onana ran up to share the joy. Coach Erik ten Hag also jumped up, raising his hands to the sky. Few people thought the "Red Devils" could keep the three points at Old Trafford when they were two goals down.

Hojlund was relieved, but Garnacho was the man of the match with a brace and a number of dribbles that troubled the opposition defence. Early in the second half, he had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. However, the 19-year-old midfielder was not discouraged, continuing to run for opportunities and was rewarded with an equaliser in the 59th minute, ending more than seven hours of Man Utd not scoring on the pitch.

The turning point came from a low pass from centre-back Diego Carlos in midfield, which Bruno Fernandes intercepted and threaded down to Marcus Rashford on the left. The English striker crossed low to the second post for Garnacho to shoot diagonally into the net. Carlos also indirectly helped Garnacho score the second goal in the 71st minute, when the Argentine's long-range shot hit the Brazilian centre-back's foot and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez unable to react.

The game seemed settled after just half-time, when Aston Villa scored two goals from a well-planned set-piece. In the 22nd minute, the visitors were awarded a free kick on the right flank, with striker Leon Bailey standing next to goalkeeper Andre Onana to distract the Man Utd defence. After Bailey had run away, midfielder John McGinn kicked the free kick to the far corner for other players to rush in but no one could touch the ball. Onana stood rooted to the spot the entire time the ball was in flight, then had to watch the net shake.

This is not the first time Onana has conceded from long-range free-kicks. In Istanbul against Galatasaray, he conceded two goals from Hakim Ziyech. As the ball flew towards the far corner, the Cameroonian seemed unsure whether to wait for his opponent to finish or to dive to save the goal.

However, the second goal conceded at Old Trafford on the evening of December 26th could not be blamed on the 27-year-old goalkeeper. McGinn still kicked a right corner kick to the second post for center-back Clement Lenglet to head the ball into the goal without being marked. Midfielder Leander Dendoncker, despite having his back to the goal, still managed to backheel the ball with one touch, giving Onana no chance to block.

Ten Hag was "frozen" by the two quick goals, when the home team lost concentration. The away team's audience also mocked the Dutch coach with the song: "You will be fired tomorrow morning". In the stands, INEOS Sports Director Dave Brailsford did not show any emotion. Brailsford is said to be billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's right-hand man in running football activities at Man Utd in the near future.

Compared to the defeat to Bournemouth three weeks ago, Man Utd's spirit was much better this time when they were behind. They played fast, applied high pressure and finally reaped the rewards with three goals in the second half. The Aston Villa crowd could no longer sing, instead the chants of "Viva Garnacho" echoed throughout the Old Trafford stands. Only then did Brailsford's face relax, with a smile on his lips.