Hojlund ends goal drought as United fight back to beat Villa

By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 27, 2023

Rasmus Hojlund capped Manchester United’s thrilling fightback from two goals down as the Denmark striker netted for the first time in the Premier League to seal a dramatic 3-2 win against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Erik ten Hag’s side were in danger of another damaging defeat when goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put Villa in control by half-time at Old Trafford.

United were booed off at the interval but they staged a much-needed revival, sparked by Alejandro Garnacho scoring their first goal in seven hours and twenty minutes.

Garnacho struck again to equalise before Hojlund finally ended his goal drought with eight minutes left.

It was Hojlund’s maiden league goal for United in his 15th appearance and his sixth in all competitions since his August move from Atalanta.

Hojlund’s cathartic strike ended United’s four-match winless run in all competitions and lifted them to sixth in the Premier League.

Two games without a win have dented Villa’s unexpected title challenge.

Unai Emery’s men remain third, three points behind leaders Liverpool after their first defeat in 11 matches in all competitions.

United’s dismal 2-0 loss at West Ham had left them with 13 defeats in all competitions this term, their most before Christmas since 1930.

That wretched run had increased the pressure on Ten Hag, who was perceived to be fighting to convince British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to keep faith with him.

Ratcliffe agreed to buy a 25 percent stake in United for £1.03 billion ($1.3 billion) on Christmas Eve.

INEOS director of sport Dave Brailsford was in the Old Trafford directors box in the first sign of Ratcliffe’s investment.

Brailsford’s mantra was “marginal gains” during his time in charge of the British Cycling team, making this hard-fought success a vital step in Ten Hag’s bid to avoid the sack.

Hojlund redemption

United’s flaws were on full display when they fell behind in typically sloppy fashion after 21 minutes.

When Bruno Fernandes gave away a needless free-kick, McGinn’s inswinging delivery from the right flank should have been cleared.

But United keeper Andre Onana and his defenders were flat-footed as the ball arrowed into the far corner untouched.

United were guilty of more woeful defending in the 26th minute as Clement Lenglet was left unmarked to head McGinn’s corner into the six-yard box, where Dendoncker back-heeled a deft finish past Onana for his first Villa goal.

Boos rained down on United’s players as Ten Hag stood ashen-faced on the touchline.

Marcus Rashford was making his first United start for six games since early December after scoring only twice this term.

Rashford squandered a good chance to reduce the deficit when he shot too close to Emiliano Martinez, who palmed away another blast from the forward before half-time.

United desperately needed a goal early in the second half and Garnacho delivered in the 59th minute as he tapped in Rashford’s low cross.

Onana made a crucial save from Leon Bailey’s volley to keep United afloat and Ten Hag’s men made of the most of the reprieve as they snatched an equaliser in the 71st minute.

Fernandes’s cross was deflected into Garnacho’s path and the winger’s strike from 10 yards hit Diego Carlos as it flashed past Martinez.

United defender Jonny Evans cleared McGinn’s shot off the line, setting the stage for Hojlund’s moment of redemption.

A United corner deflected off McGinn towards Hojlund, who swivelled to caress a sweet volley in off the post, sparking wild celebrations from the Dane and his team-mates as Ten Hag breathed a sigh of relief.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 27, 2023


 

You may also like...
Okumagba to contest Supporters Club election, mobilises supporters...

Evra leaves Marseille, banned for seven months by...

Pele Undergoes Treatment in Paris Hospital

Global Network Sports Identifies With Imo Sports Commission,...

Super Eagles move four steps up on FIFA...

Pep Reveals Strategy That Took Man City To...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media