Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United retained their excellent home form going with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, tightening their grip on third place.

The first half was rather quiet, with United and Villa cancelling each other out for large periods of the half. United were looking the more threatening, with a couple of chances, particularly those falling to Amad and Diogo Dalot, with Emi Martinez saving the former, and the Portuguese full-back skying the other.

It was in the second half that United really came to life. Casemiro headed home a set-piece from Bruno Fernandes - yet again - to score his seventh goal of the season. Villa immediately responded, with Ross Barkley tucking in a left-footed strike past Senne Lammens.

Fernandes was on hand to set up a United goal yet again, delivering a perfect pass to Matheus Cunha who slotted the ball past Martinez and restore United's lead. It was the United captain's 16th assist in the Premier League this season, making him the United player with the most assists in a single-Premier League season, edging past David Beckham's 15 assists in the 1999/00 season. He is now also just four assists behind Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry's 20-assist seasons.

Benjamin Sesko then came off the bench to seal the victory for United, with his deflected strike sailing into the net. The Slovenian could have made it four - and also got Bruno a hat-trick of assists - but some indecisiveness led to him not finishing it.

At the end of the day, United got the win over the line, and as a result took their tally up to 54 points, moving seven points behind Manchester City, and opening a three-point gap above Villa.

Here are how the United players fared at Old Trafford:

Senne Lammens 7

A rather quiet afternoon for the Belgian, with him barely having anything to do. Could not do much with the Villa goal, and also made a rather routine save in the second half. Comfortable.

Diogo Dalot 6

Delivered a dangerous cross that just needed a Sesko-level threat to get on the end of it, and then wasted a huge chance in the first half. Linked up well with the rest of the team and offered a decent threat.

Leny Yoro 8

Immense throughout the whole game. Completed a brilliant sliding tackle to deny Ollie Watkins, and he seemed much more likely to win duels today than he has done in the past. Solid whenever called upon and partnered Harry Maguire very well.

Harry Maguire 8

Another commendable display from the big Englishman. Dealt with everything that Villa threw at him, and handled the opposition forwards very well. Slowed the game down a bit too much at times, but he made up for it with some excellent defending.

Luke Shaw 7

Made a darting run down the left early on, a flashback to when he used to bomb down the wings in his younger years. Did have some testing moments against Villa's wingers, but he was solid and dealt with the threat well.

Casemiro 8

Scored his seventh goal of the season with a neat header, and was also crucial for the other two United goals. Produced another excellent performance, and while he did look a little bit leggy towards the end of the game, he seemed much fresher given the long break United had in between games.

Kobbie Mainoo 7

One of the best players in the first half, keeping the ball ticking with plenty of simple, but efficient passes. Did not allow Villa's midfield any space, and he showcased his composure on the ball. A stellar display from the young midfielder as he pushes for a spot in the England team.

Amad 6

Brought back into the team and he slotted in pretty well, helping United link up play well. He provided some nice touches, but he was then marked out of the game and probably should have done a bit more. Frustrated by Sesko not finding him late on.

Bruno Fernandes 9

Where do we start? Bruno Fernandes is the most creative player in the Premier League, and arguably, the world. Got an assist from a corner, setting up Casemiro yet again, before providing a sublime pass to Cunha for the second. The only reason he does not get a 10 is because he was rather quiet in the first half, but he more than made up for it in the second. Should have had another assist late on. 16 assists this season, edging him ever closer to the Premier League record.

Matheus Cunha 8

A constant threat for United. Whipped a couple of dangerous crosses and was stationed much wider than in recent matches. Made an excellent run to connect to Fernandes's pass, before scoring past Martinez.

Bryan Mbeumo 6

Not his brightest performance on the ball, but he was excellent off it. Hit a powerful shot that tested Martinez after the break, and he was crucial to Cunha's goal by making a darting run that took defenders away from the Brazilian.

Substitutes

Benjamin Sesko 7

Shifted back to the bench, and he once again came on with a point to prove. Did very well to make the most out of a deflected cross to tuck away a shot and get himself another goal. Should have done better with a late chance, but other than that, he was a bright spark.

Manuel Ugarte 6

Brought on for Casemiro very late on. Relatively comfortable.

Head Coach - Michael Carrick 8

For the first time in his two United managerial spells, Carrick had to respond to a defeat, and he did just that. Switched things up a bit by bringing Amad and Dalot into the team, and the changes seemed to work, keeping Sesko hungry when he came on. United came out for the second half firing, and it was a rather accomplished performance against top four opposition.