In a thrilling match against Aston Villa, Manchester United pulled off a 2-1 victory, marking their fifth win in six games under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag. But what's even more remarkable is the player who consistently delivers when the team needs it the most – Scott McTominay.
McTominay, who Ten Hag was willing to offload to West Ham United last summer, has emerged as a key player for Manchester United. In fact, no player in Europe's major leagues has scored more winning goals in the final 30 minutes of a match than McTominay this season. His 86th-minute header from Diogo Dalot's cross secured the crucial win for United, making it the third time this season that he has rescued his team in the final half-hour of a game. In terms of goal-scoring efficiency, no teammate comes close to matching his ratio of a goal every 172 minutes.
Ten Hag had high praise for McTominay after the match, acknowledging his ability to find himself in goal-scoring positions. The Scotland midfielder's contributions have given Manchester United renewed hope of securing a top-four finish and earning a spot in the coveted UEFA Champions League. With United currently six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and five points adrift of Aston Villa, this win has kept their aspirations alive.
Nevertheless, the road to a top-four finish remains challenging for United. Their season has been characterized by chaos and inconsistency, exemplified by the fact that it took them 24 games to escape negative equity in terms of goal difference. In stark contrast, league leaders Liverpool boast a resounding plus-32 goal difference. However, despite enduring nine league defeats so far, this victory offers United a fighting chance.
Ten Hag always maintained that the return of injured players would make a difference, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw at the top of his list. With the trio back in action since last month, United has shown marked improvement, winning five games and drawing one since the start of January. Disappointingly, Martínez suffered another injury, sidelining him for eight weeks, while Shaw was substituted at halftime against Villa due to a precautionary injury. However, United demonstrated resilience in their absence, suggesting that improved results and heightened morale have made them capable of winning games they might have lost earlier in the season.
Additionally, other aspects have contributed to United's recent upturn. Rasmus Højlund has found his stride, scoring goals consistently since breaking his Premier League duck against Villa in December. In fact, Højlund's goal at Villa Park marked his fifth consecutive league game with a goal. Furthermore, the emergence of 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who made his first appearance against Everton in late November, has provided Ten Hag with a reliable option in the team.
However, Manchester United's progress is far from complete. Marcus Rashford, substituted in the 73rd minute, continues to struggle with his decision-making near the goal. Casemiro faced challenges against Villa's energetic midfield, and Dalot's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Alejandro Garnacho's lack of discipline on the right flank. Against stronger teams, United runs the risk of being overrun in midfield, while their inefficiency in front of goal may prove costly.
Nonetheless, the absence of European competition could help United conserve energy and reduce the workload for Ten Hag's injury-prone players. With 14 games remaining, their objective is crystal clear, and their recent form has afforded them a fighting chance of orchestrating a remarkable turnaround.
'It is a massive win for us,' stated Ten Hag. 'We've got closer, and that was the aim for today. That was absolutely our target, and we've done it.'
Only time will tell if Manchester United can fully capitalize on their recent momentum and secure a top-four finish, but for now, the prospects seem promising. The tenacity of players like Scott McTominay and the strategic guidance of Erik ten Hag have injected renewed hope in the hearts of United fans. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Old Trafford, eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this historic club.
