Manchester United consolidated their hold on the third rung of the Premier League table as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford.
A frenetic three-goal second-half followed a markedly pedestrian first, which produced just two clear-cut chances as United struggled to impose themselves against a physically formidable Villa back line.
But it did not take long for the hosts to break the deadlock in the second-half, as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes once again combined, the former nodding the latter’s corner beyond the reach of Emi Martinez.
United failed to impose themselves thereafter, allowing Villa back into contention as Ross Barkley lashed one home to equalise.
But a devastating sequence of events then put the result beyond doubt as Matheus Cunha fired home from a superb Fernandes through-ball and Benjamin Sesko fired a third home mere minutes after coming off the bench.
The win puts United three points clear of Villa and six ahead of Chelsea, massively boosting their bid to return to the Champions League next season. It also takes Michael Carrick’s managerial record at Old Trafford to a flawless six wins from six.
