Having lost to Aston Villa under Dean Smith in the Premier League back in late September, Monday night's FA Cup third round tie presented a chance United to gain revenge. Since the meeting a month or so into the current campaign, though, both sides have overseen marked change. Ralf Rangnick was to take charge of United this time around, whilst Villa were headed by a certain Steven Gerrard after his switch from Rangers.
There was to be no replay in the event of a draw under the revamp in this edition of the prestigious FA Cup competition, with the game to be decided on the night - with extra time and penalties loomed as a distinct possibility. The reward for the winners would be a fourth round meeting with Chris Wilder's high-flying Middlesbrough, now playing Championship football.
As anticipated, United were without Harry Maguire, "still suffering a bit from his rib contusion" according to Rangnick. Phil Jones also missed out, with "some minor problems on the calf" which could be attributed to fatigue after featuring following such a lengthy absence. Jadon Sancho, who "was supposed to be in the squad", was another absentee with "some issues with hamstrings on both sides".
Cristiano Ronaldo notably wasn't involved, with Rangnick saying, "He said he’d had some problems for the last couple of days - minor problems - and in the end we decided it would make more sense not to take any risks in a cup game that could last 120 minutes."
It was a systematic rejig from the United interim manager, with his majorly ineffective 4-2-2-2 system transitioning to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 setup. Bruno Fernandes was back in the starting outfit as the linkman between midfield and attack, with Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford either side. Edinson Cavani led the line alone in Ronaldo's absence.
Further back, it was reported that Dean Henderson would have started the game, yet ultimately didn't feature due to ongoing issues surrounding his future - efforts are continuing to secure him a loan move before the end of the transfer window. David de Gea started instead, with no opportunity for a rare rest.
Victor Lindelof, entirely match-fit or not after his near enough one month spell sidelined with Covid amongst other issues, started alongside Raphael Varane in the absence of every other centre back. Diogo Dalot returned to the starting team after recent omissions, with Luke Shaw on the opposite flank ahead of serving suspension at the weekend. Scott McTominay found himself in a similar predicament to Shaw, with Rangnick making the most of his services, with Fred recalled to restore their partnership.
Rangnick had gone strong, and his counterpart had the same approach to things. There was no taking it lightly.
Talking of taking things lightly, the Old Trafford faithful didn't hold back as Gerrard first emerged down the tunnel after years away. A chorus of boos greeted the former Liverpool midfielder, with many early chants aimed at a man openly bitter against United over the years. An attempted stare-out with the Stretford End hardly aided the cause.
"Have you ever seen Gerrard win the league?" was a particularly popular utterance. The rivalry remains bitter. Bitter, bitter.
United started affairs with lots of width, an immediate improvement on the dealings of Rangnick's favoured 'four triple two' approach. There were some positive early bursts from the home side as a result of the systematic switch, with some incisive passing passages in the opening minutes. The early exchanges saw plenty of United possession, though the Red Devils were still struggling creatively as final third giveaways promptly came to the fore once more. Villa were trying to launch some breaks, but United were on top and in control both defensively and offensively.
McTominay saw one effort from outside the penalty area gathered easily by a hardly-tested Emiliano Martinez, however the story was much different soon after.
An initially corner routine was on the scruffier side of the spectrum, but Fred was able to recover the ball around the edge of the box. There was a brisk one-two with Greenwood before the Brazilian delivered a pinpoint inswinging ball from deep on the right flank, with McTominay breaking free of his marker to head beneath Martinez for an early opener.
For the second year in succession, the Scotsman was on the scoresheet in the FA Cup third round. His manager was full of praise post-match.
“He is an academy boy, his energy is amazing," Rangnick said. "He now also starts scoring goals and also with some leadership skills. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a couple of years he would be the captain of this team.”
Villa had a good opportunity to respond soon after United's go-ahead, with a teasing Douglas Luiz corner headed vitally away from the goalline by Lindelof - Ollie Watkins saw a chance go begging as he was unable to get sufficient contact to guide the ball goalbound. The overall response was positive from the visitors, with drives from the likes of Emiliano Buendia displaying promise with drives forward. United had some moves of their own still, but momentum was hardly of prevalence on the back of McTominay's goal.
It was fair to say Rangnick's side still weren't totally up to scratch. Far from it, in fact.
De Gea was the busier of the two goalkeepers on the pitch again, with United's continued inadequate intensity allowing John McGinn an opening to take a free hit at goal at one stage. Too often, the Red Devils seemed half-hearted in their work again, with a press present on occasions but no energy really sustained. "You need to be aware what kind of football you really want to play. A little bit of pressing? Come on, what is a little bit of pressing? A little bit of pressing is like a little bit of pregnant. Either you are pregnant or not? Either you want to play pressing or not?"
Remember that quote? Rangnick can hardly be pleased with the bit-part adoption of his ways.
There also remained more suspect organisation despite United reverting to a more commonplace setup. The hosts were often overplaying and wasteful, regressing after an encouraging start. Regression is certainly a word used frequently at the moment with regards to United.
Issues were often stemming from the flanks where most breakdowns were occurring, with Greenwood and Rashford often guilty of overplaying and making the wrong choices. There has been reported frustration at the 'greed' of the former of the wide pair, and that was apparent on Monday night.
There was the odd move of promise from United, with Martinez once forced to be alert to deny Cavani. Otherwise, the Uruguayan had been very isolated and often forced to drop deep and out of position.
Bemusement circulated Old Trafford after the Cavani attempt, with Rashford in a position to follow up on the rebound yet almost appearing to opt out. Rashford had moments throughout the half, but looked lethargic still. Hence, he was often caught on his heels.
It only really grew more error-strewn from a United standpoint. Lindelof was culprit of a near-detrimental mistake as a heavy first touch under minimal pressure allowed an alert Watkins through on goal. The Swede recovered yet was deceived by a subsequent chop inside, with the Villa striker mightily unfortunate to rattle the bar having all but beaten De Gea. The error could be excused given Lindelof's recent layoff, and its nature, but it was a let-off for United no matter.
The home side were under a bombardment almost reminiscent of that inflicted by Wolves the week prior, with Villa really licensed to play some flowing football. It was almost deja vu.
There was a multi-minute stoppage at one stage as Dalot innocuously received a nasty gash on his foot amidst another penalty box onslaught from Villa. It was revealed after the match that the right back required eight stitches, but he valiantly continued to complete the game in spite of the wound's bloody nature. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was stripped and ready, but a bemused Dalot wouldn't be withdrawn.
The stoppage hardly halted Villa's surge, with Gerrard's men developing into the outright dominant side. As has been the case more than once in recent times, United failed to build on an advantage.
It was all about spells for United once more. One phase saw Fernandes denied by a crucial block, with a Shaw effort from range tipped over the crossbar by Martinez. Brief moments of energy showed the animal that this United side could be, though brief was all. There were these momentary positive signs, but they were never sustained. A club riddled by inconsistency.
There had been chances at both ends, with Villa's unarguably the better as the side looking the more likely to score for the most-part. The better football was certainly coming from the visitors as their opposition squandered numerous chances, epitomised by a weak cleared Rashford effort on the stroke of half time as he faced up to Martinez. The ball was occasionally worked well by the hosts, who led at the juncture, though the game was entirely in the balance.
The second half was host to an eventful start. Only five minutes into the period, Villa levelled affairs - so they thought. A deep McGinn freekick found a free Ezri Konsa at the far side of the box, with the ball knocked to Watkins and on to Danny Ings to bundle into the net.
It wasn't without controversy, with confusion throughout Old Trafford as a lengthy VAR check ensued. There was no indication as to the incident in question. Ings could have been offside, and there was possibly even an inkling of a hanball. Neither were awarded, with the former idea possibly dismissed due to a feint De Gea hand on the ball.
Eventually, it was judged that Cavani was blocked, thus as the rules suggest impeded, by Jacob Ramsey - who was in a clear offside position. After a lengthy review, what appeared the right decision was ruled. Cavani was clearly prevented from challenging Konsa for the initial header, with the culprit not even onside. No goal. United kept their lead.
Things were lively at the Theatre of Dreams, with McGinn involved in some heated scuffles off the back of the frustration caused by the disallowed goal. However, United still failed to translate the bite into their performance.
Villa continued to probe, finding the net again soon after VAR denied them an equaliser. An intricate string of passes saw Buendia ultimately unleash Ings in behind a backpedalling Lindelof, with Watkins ensuring his strike partner's dink above De Gea was forced over the line. It still wasn't to be, though, as an offside was promptly awarded against Ings. This was definitely a more stonewall ruling.
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Lindelof took a knock to the knee in his denial attempt, continuing but joining Dalot in exiting Old Trafford with a limp at full time.
Villa showed really authority, responding well to the adversity of the first disallowed goal. United, on the contrary, were riding their luck. The home side were severely up against it, barely offering anything to proceedings. It was made too easy for Villa at times still, with Konsa running straight through from the back to shoot inside the box in one instant. Matty Cash also came close for Villa, testing De Gea with a powerful driven effort. The pressure on United was immense.
Rangnick made his first change on the 70 minute mark, with Donny van de Beek the first addition for once. Cavani was the man withdrawn, provoking a reshuffle as the Dutchman joined the midfield as an extra body in attempt to restore some control. Van de Beek appeared to slot into a diamond, with Greenwood and Rashford heading the system with Fernandes just behind - remaining the link within the setup. It was a logical alteration in United's bid to further weather an aggressive storm.
The change in formation almost paid immediate dividends, with Greenwood finding himself through but unleashing straight at Martinez. Again, almost a replica of in the first half, Rashford was caught on his heels and didn't attempt to go for a really 'gettable' rebound. Bewilderment again spread through the stadium, with frustration as to Rashford's noticeable lack of endeavour.
United had regained some authority after the midfield was bulked up, with Rangnick's side holding the ball more effectively, with a higher volume of possession. There was more control in a midfield often devoid of that, with United looking more likely to hang on and Villa left to rue missed opportunities.
Rangnick made a double change five minutes from time, with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Elanga introduced. Fernandes was one withdrawn, one of the most creatively influential players on the night, yet still struggling to make a marked impact on the game. In addition, a difficult night for an almost disconsolate Rashford came to an end, with his confidence again looking rock bottom and his performance suffering as a consequence.
Six minutes of additional time sparked encouragement for Villa, but United looked more comfortable in their bid to close the game out. Elanga produced a tidy and energetic cameo, looking very confident, with the belief that he could take players on and get the better of them. His character was also something of note, with Elanga making a point of whipping up the Stretford End in the dying embers. You'd think United would think twice about loaning him out, with an influence entirely possibly right here.
As was the case last January in the third round against Watford, McTominay was the difference. The showing was unconvincing on the whole, but the job was just about done. Disallowed goals cost Villa, who had a number of chances go begging.
Rangnick's assessment was centred around the fact that his side "were still struggling to get control in the midfield.”
“In the second half we were on the counter attack and we could have made more of those situations. We took the wrong decisions at times but when we changed to a diamond in midfield we had more control. From the very moment when we changed in the last 20 minutes, when Donny came on, from then on we controlled the game."
"We fought well as a team together when it was important. In the end it was a good win. That was our goal, to proceed to the next round. To say that this was a perfect game, nobody would believe that. We still have quite a few things we can get better at but clean sheet was important today and we worked together."
In essence, it is right that progress was achieved given that the previous result against Wolves was flipped on its head. Rangnick saw his side score, and they didn’t concede. That’s a positive. However, performance-wise, and on the whole, it was tough to decipher any definitive progression.
There were some better attacking passages, it must be said, yet managing to create was still a struggle. Especially in wide areas, such passages were severely hindered by comtinued decision making ineptitude. The inefficiency in wide areas proved detrimental to many aspects of the structure, in particular the two attack-willing fullbacks. Even though the 4-2-3-1 system was a better setup by way of facilitation of players such as Fernandes, there remained a distinct dysfunctional element.
The performances almost seem to be growing more and more uneasy on the eye, contrasting the promised entertainment factor of Rangnick’s football. Furthermore, the performances remain devoid of the German's major principle - control of games. Authority did ensue as the extra midfield man was added in Van de Beek, but overload shouldn’t be a necessity to ‘win the midfield battle’.
Overall, it was Villa who dominated, plus United remained error-riddled - this has to be eradicated ahead of the fixture at Villa Park on Saturday. The clean sheet was a positive, but Rangnick’s men were even fortunate in that respect after suspect defending for the two disallowed goals. The main thing is progressing in the cup, but the performance outlined a whole lot of issues once more.
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