Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0

Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0: With the help of VAR, McTominay’s header propels Rangnick’s side into the FA Cup fourth round.

THE FA CUP may be Manchester United’s salvation once more, 32 years later.

It was 1990, and Alex Ferguson, then just Alex Ferguson, was clinging to his position at Old Trafford despite his lack of a knighthood.

But a run to the final and a replay triumph over Crystal Palace set the tone for the rest of the season.

A flag was hung up at Old Trafford soon before the run began, calling for Fergie to resign.

This is most likely the club’s lowest moment since that time.

It speaks a lot about how far United has gone that fans are hanging to this competition for salvation in a season that looks like it will conclude in mid-table mediocrity.

That is, unless they have ambitions to win the Champions League, which I doubt.

Last night’s victory came thanks to a Scott McTominay header in the eighth minute, but Aston Villa will feel cheated because they were the better team.

Their ‘equaliser’ in the 50th minute was ruled out by a lengthy VAR decision, leaving them feeling betrayed.

Ralf Rangnick will be content with the win, which came despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence due to a hip injury, albeit there was no noticeable difference in performance owing to his absence.

This was rough, but not particularly good.

Still, the 12-time winners of the competition are through to the next round, with a home match against Middlesbrough expected to lead to the fifth round.

United got out to a fast start and took the lead through McFred after only eight minutes.

The much-maligned midfield duo teamed to terrific success, with Fred delivering a brilliant inswinging cross with his left foot and McTominay providing the necessary nod to assist it in.

However, from that point until the interval, it was Aston Villa who were on top, and they were left wondering how they hadn’t been level by halftime.

This was rough, but not particularly good.

Still, the 12-time winners of the competition are through to the next round, with a home match against Middlesbrough expected to lead to the fifth round.

United got out to a fast start and took the lead through McFred after only eight minutes.

The much-maligned midfield duo teamed to terrific success, with Fred delivering a brilliant inswinging cross with his left foot and McTominay providing the necessary nod to assist it in.

However, from that point until the interval, it was Aston Villa who were on top, and they were left wondering how they hadn’t been level by halftime.

Manager Steven Gerrard had turned and gazed down the Stretford End when he came out to a predicted reception, and his players were undeterred by the Old Trafford crowd or experience as they heaped on the pressure.

Victor Lindelof almost offered an unwelcome assist by nodding it on from Douglas Luiz’s corner, but Ollie Watkins was unable to reach it at the far post.

Danny Ings was unable to reach Emiliano Buendia’s run and cross shot, which only required a touch.

David De Gea palmed away John McGinn’s long-range shot.

Watkins was in after Lindelof failed to hold a long punt forward by Tyrone Mings. With De Gea beaten, he circled back inside the retreating United defense and unleashed a shot that smashed off the post.

Gerrard was despondently clutching his head in his hands, wondering when their prize would arrive.

United were shaken, but they clawed their way back into the game right before the break, with long-range attempts from Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay reminding Villa of their own threat.

The first half was exciting, with two powerful teams battling it out.

They both wanted it, and Villa felt they were level five minutes after the break.

McGinn sent in an inswinging free kick that Ezri Konsa headed back across goal.

It wasn’t obvious if it was offside, handball, or a foul by Jacob Ramsey on Edinson Cavani when it was eventually ruled out.

In the end, it was the latter, but the stadium crowd had no idea.

Villa’s sense of injustice was heightened when the flag was raised to deny them shortly after play resumed, when Ings was rightfully ruled to be offside when he broke through before feeding Watkins, who sidefooted home.

The visitors were not going down without a fight, and De Gea saved Matthew Cash’s thundering shot from the near top corner.

United retaliated, but when Marcus Rashford’s shot was spilled, he made no attempt to jump on the ball.

Even as the game drew to a close, United held on.

Before kick-off, a giant banner with photographs of Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and Roy Keane, together with the term ‘Standards,’ was unfurled over the tunnel.
They fall well short of the expectations of this club and its supporters.
Still, a win is a win, and that’s about all there is to say.