EPL: Man Utd beat Villa 3-1 to strengthen top-four push

Manchester United boosted their Champions League hopes with a crucial 3-1 victory over fellow top-four contender Aston Villa on Sunday at Old Trafford. Casemiro opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 53rd minute from a Bruno Fernandes corner, before Ross Barkley equalised for Villa. United responded late, with Matheus Cunha netting in the 71st minute and Benjamin Sesko sealing the win in the 81st minute after coming off the bench.

The win marks Michael Carrick’s seventh victory in nine games since taking over as interim manager, lifting United to third place in the Premier League, three points ahead of fourth-placed Villa. Carrick’s side had struggled early in the match, but a well-timed header by Casemiro and Cunha’s composed finish restored United’s advantage.

Bruno Fernandes assisted Cunha’s goal, recording his 16th Premier League assist of the season, surpassing David Beckham’s club record of 15 set in 1999-2000. Sesko, eager to impress Carrick after being dropped, scored a deflected strike to cement the win. Villa, meanwhile, have now lost three consecutive league matches, leaving them just three points above fifth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining in the race for European qualification.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe praised Carrick’s “excellent” work but did not commit to him in a permanent role, though the interim boss is making a strong case to secure the job full-time after stabilising the team following Ruben Amorim’s departure.

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