

It had, by then, become a little frayed for United and Casemiro did not shy away from telling Fernandes so.Are you a freelancer looking for apps that can streamline your workflow and improve productivity? Then there were those tackles in the final minute that were an attempt to defuse any of Villa’s attacks. In stoppage time, he ran out to block Lucas Digne’s cross. They chanted his name in the 72nd minute when he sprinted to kick the ball into touch before deliberately playing it off Bertrand Traore to win United a throw-in. More than anything, it was the uglier side of the game that endeared him to supporters. He did not nail all his long passes, but he accurately hit one to Sancho over the top, another flighted one to Rashford and a threaded one to Malacia on the left wing. Fernandes pointedly stood in front of the Villa fans after scoring.Ĭasemiro is less of a provocateur to opposing supporters than he is to his own team-mates. He managed to evade a caution on this occasion.Ĭasemiro struck the bar with a good shot, produced a backheel tackle on Douglas Luiz at a moment when United looked vulnerable, then won the header from Emiliano Martinez’s goal kick that set Marcus Rashford away for United’s winner. Soon after, when Fernandes was down claiming an injury, much to the mirth of Villa fans nearby, Casemiro dived in to make a foul that stopped Villa’s counter. In the 15th minute, Casemiro chipped a pass from deep to the right for Fernandes, whose first-time cross was too far in front of Sabitzer at the far post. Fans purred at one pass around the corner to Tyrell Malacia. In the centre, Eriksen’s passing was crisp and he was successful with 50 from 60 attempts (83 per cent accuracy). He has so many skills, it’s a pleasure to work with players like him.” He can play in between lines and then get behind lines. “Even if our press is beaten, he tracks back. “From the side, he’s a very good presser, he understands the moment when to close down, when to put an opponent into trouble,” Ten Hag said. Ten Hag explained why he switched Fernandes, who also played on the flank in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Villa. It meant a different threat to Villa’s high line.įernandes repeatedly ran in behind and even if the ball did not always find its way to him, that movement got Villa backpedalling. The triumvirate of Fernandes-Casemiro-Eriksen now has a record of 16 wins and four draws from 20 starts together, although this match had a slight amendment to the usual configuration - Fernandes was on the right wing, with Marcel Sabitzer as No 10. In Casemiro, Manchester United have a holding midfielder who can finish off movesĬhristian Eriksen is the third key cog in United’s midfield. They appeared to be on better terms after the Portugal international pounced to score the game’s only goal in the 39th minute. Their public disputes (both coming after victories) are a sign of their desire to be better.įernandes’ full-blooded approach can irritate his team-mates and Sancho was seen apparently telling him to “stop moaning” during the first half against Villa. These are two competitive players who can claim to be United’s outstanding performers this season. You might term it a form of creative tension.

After airing their grievances, the pair finished with a hug. United held out to become the first team to keep a clean sheet against Villa in the Premier League since Unai Emery took charge, but Casemiro felt compelled to underline his annoyance at Fernandes’ decision.įernandes, of course, gave as good as he got, seeming to suggest he was turning on the ball to give Casemiro a chance to run onto it.

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Casemiro dived to tackle Jacob Ramsey but Villa broke and eventually won a free kick in a dangerous position outside the box. Fernandes had possession but rather than run or pass to the corner, he tried a skill to beat Villa’s midfielders and though semi-successful, was ultimately robbed of the ball. The origin of this latest exchange could be found by the halfway line in stoppage time.
