it’s a stretch to say United have earned that stroke of luck but they have been improving. Garnacho is making things happen when he gets on the ball and he’s been the driving force behind this comeback. It’s a cliche but it is a great time to score and it makes Ten Hag’s half-time team talk a little easier.
The remarkable thing about Ronalod’s headed chance is he was onside because every other time he has hoped for a cross he has been off. Villa might as well let the ball drop to him because he’s edging ahead of Mings and Konsa almost every time.
He has now desperately gone down in the area. He discarded his captain’s armband a while ago, which some will read as significant. He is applying himself professionally, though. Those saves might ensure McTominay stays on the touchline. The denial of Garnacho was impressive; the Ronaldo one more straightforward. Ronaldo should really bury it but he has ceased being a reliable goalscorer since he wanted out of United.
The United fans are still in a supportive and defiant voice. It’s a pity for them that United will be shooting towards the opposite end in the second-half. McTominay has only got a bib on over his away shirt and he is running like someone who is going to come on. It remains to be seen if anything will change. Maguire and Elanga are also limbering up but have tracksuit tops on.
The narrative for a lot of this season has been that United under Ten Hag don’t suit Bruno Fernandes, but they look to be missing him here. In half an hour there has barely been at attack worthy of the name and the passing hasn’t been sharp enough. Villa look far more dangerous going forward and they are cutting Eriksen and Casemiro to ribbons, constantly finding space either side of United’s ‘deep’ midfielders.
1st Goal:
GOAL NUMBER 822 FOR THE GREATEST CRISTIANO RONALDO 🐐🔥pic.twitter.com/2Q0QNzmtqk
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) February 9, 2023
2nd Goal:
500TH LEAGUE GOAL FOR THE GREATEST CRISTIANO RONALDO 🐐🔥pic.twitter.com/tXP5bJ3JWs
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) February 9, 2023