Thank the Football Gods they didn’t lose twice in four days to Aston Villa. Manchester United have beaten Aston Villa 4-2 on the back of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes’ heroics, sending them into the next round of the EFL Cup.
There would have been a lot of Manchester United fans (me included) who would have been livid if United lost this game today.
Not only would they have hampered their Top-4 hopes with their disappointing 3-1 defeat to Villa last Sunday, but they would have also shut off a huge opportunity to finally win a trophy if they lost today. Simply put, the EFL Cup is a nearly must-win as this United squad needs to win a trophy and prove that they can compete at the highest level of world football.
Ever since Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge of United where he went on to win the FA Community Shield, the EFL Cup (called the Carabao Cup), and the Europa League, Manchester United have failed to win a trophy in six consecutive seasons.
In fact, this trophy drought is now the second longest in modern (1968-now) Man United history as only the 1968-1977 (9 years) drought, which was the era that concluded the glory days of Sir Bobby Charlton, was longer.
Obviously, for a club of Manchester United’s statue, a trophy this season is a must as this drought has become far too long and taxing. Thankfully, these players seem to realize this too after years of failure as they overcame two 1-goal deficits to win this game in stunning fashion.
After going down 1-0 from an Ollie Watkins breakaway goal and then 2-1 to a Diogo Dalot own goal, these United players stood strong and showed tremendous resiliency as never gave up and peppered the Villa goal. With nearly 20 shots on goal and almost 60% possesion, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Scott McTominay all got on the scoring sheet by burring the ball past Robin Gosens in the Villa net.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen, who both were introduced from the bench, set up most of these goals with some fantastic crosses and flicks into the box, just proving how valuable squad depth truly is
Garnacho, in particular, was extremely impressive as he showed his idol’s, Cristiano Ronaldo, flair with his skills and dribbling tricks all down the left wing. Just like how CR7 once roared down the channels, wowing the United fans with step-overs and chop-backs, Garnacho has now taken up his mantel by doing the same.
He had the Villa defenders on toast, sending them this way and that every time he touched the ball. It’s great to see such a young kid (he’s still only 18) successfully begin his journey on the path of stardom as so many usually fail and trip up along the way.
Of course, he still has a long way to go, but the beginning signs look promising.
I mean, did you guys see his assist to McTominay? He masterfully chipped the ball over 3-4 Villa defenders and placed the ball just in the right spot for the Scotsman to get his foot on it. Not even some of the best players in world football can do that!
Anyway, I’m glad United were able to pull this win off as the road to the EFL Cup Final has gotten a whole lot easier with the draw after the game. Now that Man City has to face off against Liverpool (City playing a competitive game before the Final? Shocking, I know) in the Round of 16, United will only have to face one ‘traditional Top-6’ team for the rest of the competition. Finally, some good luck.
Though, that is if they can get past Burnley in the next round. One game at a time.
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