Manchester United held on to the Champions League qualifier with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood and Paul Pogba scored three points for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, while Villa struggled to put a glove on visitors.
United broke the deadlock in the first half when Fernandes won a penalty following a clash with Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The Portuguese midfielder received a pass on the edge of the Villa area and turned around when Konsa challenged the ball.
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Referee Jon Moss indicated the point and a VAR review appeared to show Fernandes catching Konsa with his final leg first.
However, the referee’s decision remained valid and Fernandes duly sent the goal kick to give United the lead.
Former United defender Patrice Evra did not feel that the penalty should have endured while Fernandes’ momentum led him into the defender.
“My opinion is that it’s not a penalty,” he told Sky Sports halfway through. “The defender is a little awkward because his right leg is trying to stop Bruno.
“I feel like Bruno Fernandes had gone to his leg and given him the penalty.
“If you watch the replay, Bruno Fernandes stopped the ball and got into one leg, but it was too late. I think it shouldn’t be a penalty.”
The rival supporters turned to social media to ask why the sanction was given when Fernandes appeared on Konsa’s leg.
The result means that United is only one point behind Leicester in fourth place, while the race for the top four places intensifies.
Subsequently, the Red Devils will host Southampton at Old Trafford on Monday evening, while Chelsea will travel to Sheffield United on Saturday.
Tottenham face Arsenal in the North London derby, while the Wolves play Everton at Molineux. Leicester travels to the fight for Bournemouth.
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