Man Utd won 3-1 against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday and here are the moments you might have missed from the game.
05:00, 16 Mar 2026
Manchester United secured a massive win against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Michael Carrick suffered the first defeat of his interim tenure against Newcastle but bounced back with a victory at Old Trafford.
The game was goalless at the interval, but Casemiro scored his fifth header of the season to break the deadlock. Villa equalised through Ross Barkley before Matheus Cunha produced an almost immediate response. Benjamin Sesko then came on from the bench to make it 3-1.
The win was a huge boost for United’s hopes of securing Champions League football, and they are now six points clear of Chelsea in fifth position.
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Here are the moments you might have missed from the game:
Casemiro soaks it in
Casemiro scored his fifth header of the campaign to fire United into the lead against Villa, and he savoured every minute of the celebrations. The Brazilian danced in front of the Stretford End and tapped the United badge on his shirt while pointing to supporters as his teammates prepared for the restart.
The 34-year-old is set to leave at the end of the season, and he will play just four more matches at Old Trafford, which explains why he savoured every second of the celebrations.
“One more year, Casemiro,” was chanted once the game resumed, with United fans suggesting Casemiro should have been kept beyond the summer, but that would have been a mistake.
Although Casemiro has been brilliant in some games this season, it’s the right decision for both parties for him to leave when his deal expires. It would have been an Ed Woodward-esque error to trigger the one-year extension in his deal, especially given he’s the highest earner at the club.
Fernandes observes his work
You could tell Fernandes knew his cross into the box for Casemiro’s goal was good. He stood back and nodded his head when his teammate found the net.
The 31-year-old then casually put his hands on his hips as if he were playing football in a park before sharing a laugh with Casemiro. Fernandes appeared to say, ‘Not a bad cross, huh?’
Fernandes was outstanding against Villa, providing assists for both of United’s goals, and his assist for Cunha’s goal was the pick of the two. The vision and execution were world-class.
Carrick reaction
Carrick took great satisfaction from Sesko’s goal to wrap up an important three points because he’d spent two minutes in deep conversation with the striker before introducing him to the game.
Whatever Carrick said had the desired effect as Sesko made an immediate impact. Carrick is usually composed on the touchline, but he let himself enjoy the third goal of the afternoon, fist-pumping passionately on the touchline.
Carrick couldn’t wipe the smile from his face when he spoke at his press conference after beating Crystal Palace, and he explained that his association with the club makes the wins feel more special.
The former midfielder is enjoying every minute of managing United, and it feels like his job to lose.
‘Nobody was there’
Carrick dropped Sesko to the bench in favour of reverting to a striker-less attack of Mbeumo, Amad and Cunha. The benefit of those three players starting together is that the attack is fluid and dynamic.
The downside is that United lack a focal point and presence in the box, which was seen on several occasions throughout the first half when nobody was there to get onto the end of brilliant crosses.
Frustration began to build, and Dalot waved his arms as if to say ‘nobody was there’ when he played a superb cross into the box from the right after the 20-minute mark. Mbeumo and Amad did not anticipate it, which allowed Villa to easily clear a really threatening delivery into the box.
Amad came closest to scoring in the first half when winning a header from a corner, which required a decent save from Martinez, but you cannot expect a 5ft 7in player to win many headers, never mind score them.
Appreciation for Maguire
Maguire is out of contract at the end of the season, and Carrick hinted last month that he wanted to keep him at the club. Talks have been ongoing over a new deal for the defender, who has played a crucial role at the heart of the team since Carrick was appointed in January.
It’s important for United to retain Maguire’s experience in the dressing room, but his strong performances are the main reason why he deserves a new contract. The 33-year-old continues to operate at a high level and the Stretford End showed their appreciation for Maguire in the first half.
Ollie Watkins chased a ball over the top and Leny Yoro wasn’t the favourite to win the race, but Maguire sensed the danger, got across and got his teammate out of a sticky situation.
The Stretford End roared as Maguire thwarted the danger, and “UNITED, UNITED, UNITED,” was aired. Maguire won the battle against Watkins and must be kept this summer.
;)
