A half-time, 45 minutes, to change the face of a season? Manchester United first hit rock bottom this Tuesday evening before capsizing Old Trafford during the 19th day of the Premier League, offering themselves an unexpected victory against Aston Villa (3-2).
You had to see the dejected face of Raphaël Varane, apathetic on the opponent’s second goal from a corner in the 26th minute, these muscular exchanges between Red Devils. The evening seemed destined for a nightmare, one that could potentially put Erik ten Hag and his sidelines in an ejection seat. The second period finally proved the bad oracles wrong. The Red Devils managed a splendid comeback to avoid an even deeper crisis.
The startle bears the baby face of Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old Argentine winger scored twice in twelve minutes (59th, 71st). Two goals in the area to equalize before the delivery signed by Rasmus Højlund.
A future in questions
The Dane arrived this summer from Atalanta Bergamo for 75 million euros. He had yet to score a single goal in the league. Suffice it to say that the communion was total when beating the Villans, who thought they would bring home at least a point and even take second place in the Premier League in the event of a victory.
Manchester United, sixth, 8 points from the podium and 5 from fourth place, are clinging on to the race for Europe. Eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage, Raphaël Varane’s teammates went four games without scoring a single time, a first since 1992.
While the Mancunian organization chart is upset by the acquisition of 25% of the club’s shares by Jim Ratcliff, owner of OGC Nice, this victory against Villa, runner-up to Arsenal before the meeting, offers a little breathing room to an entire club. For its next match, Manchester will travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
