Aston Villa twice blew an advantage at Old Trafford as Marcus Rashford and an unfortunate Tyrone Mings own-goal completed an incredible second-half comeback for Manchester United.
Villa, who made seven changes prior to kick-off, led twice thanks to a delicate Ollie Watkins chip past Martin Dubravka and, after Anthony Martial replied just 30 seconds later, substitute Leon Bailey’s cross was put into his own net by Diogo Dalot as Villa were 2-1 up on the hour with the 7,502 away fans in a state of raptures in the East Stand.
However, it all turned in dramatic fashion after that when Rashford took advantage of Ashley Young’s sliding challenge after another ball over the top before the England man powered past Robin Olsen while, 11 minutes later, Mings put into his own net as Olsen’s poor pass was gobbled up by Fernandes whose effort flew in off Villa's centre-back for 3-2.
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It was four in stoppage time as Scott McTominay raced past Tyrone Mings to tap home to make it 4-2 as Villa's League Cup campaign was ended for another year. Here's how we rated the players after a crazy six-goal second-half at Old Trafford.
STARTING FORMATION: 4-4-2
ROBIN OLSEN: Incredibly rusty in terms of his distribution which is understandable on his first start of the season. In the first half, Olsen punched an inswinging Fernandes free-kick clear and had to be on his toes as he kicked clear to stop Fernandes from getting in on goal. Pulled out two super saves in the second half but was massively at fault for Fernandes' goal which put United ahead. A really shaky return to the starting line-up. 4
ASHLEY YOUNG: Raced forward a lot in that first half as he linked up with Ramsey ahead of him. Put in a dangerous cross while, before that, struck a volley a few yards wide of Dubravka’s post. Chipped in a lovely cross for Bailey which forced the second for Villa as Dalot put into his own net. After that, Young was unfortunate as his sliding challenge fell straight into Marcus Rashford who made no mistake for 2-2 as Mings slipped. Was given a nice ovation by the home fans as he was replaced by Cash. 6
CALUM CHAMBERS: Another a little nervy in that first 45 as Chambers failed to communicate with Konsa before Olsen mopped up while, before the break, Chambers recklessly gifted Rashford possession but United failed to make Villa pay. Kept getting done by long balls as Chambers' lack of pace showed. 5
EZRI KONSA: Effortless for large parts and defended well but was caught as Martial raced ahead of him for 2-1. A picture of pure frustation as United went ahead before his number was called as Mings replaced him. 6
LUDWIG AUGUSTINSSON: Failed to find Watkins with a simple ball down the line just moments in while, in the first half, the left-back was Villa’s highest player positionally on average. The Swede got done by Dalot’s ball down the side which allowed Fernandes to square to Martial to tap home the equaliser. A little sloppy at times and looked leggy on his return. 5
JACOB RAMSEY: Showed real energy on that right side and combined with Young well on occasion. Did brilliantly and showed great vision to pick out Watkins for 1-0 as the youngster’s pass cut right through United’s backline before his Villa teammate did the rest. A decent showing from Ramsey who's growing every week. 7*
DOUGLAS LUIZ: Worked well with Kamara as the two kept talking to each other to keep United red shirts in check. Couldn't stop the onslaught with United opting to dink balls over Villa's backline. Flared up to Fernandes who deliberately trod on Douglas in the second half. 6
BOUBACAR KAMARA: Stayed disciplined in the base of Villa’s midfield as the Frenchman worked with Douglas Luiz next to him to contain Fred, McTominay and van de Beek. Pinched balls well in there but, like most, couldn't stop United from coming on strong. 6
JOHN MCGINN: Played on the left-hand side of Villa’s midfield four and was lucky not to get a booking as he steamed into Dalot before half-time. McGinn was given the licence to burst forwards. Lacked real conviction again. 5
OLLIE WATKINS: Had Maguire for company tonight as opposed to Lindelof last weekend. Watkins raced through and scored with aplomb to make it 1-0, lifting it over Dubravka to send the 7,502 into raptures behind the goal. Worked really hard in attack and carried a threat. Looked jaded as the game went on. 7
DANNY INGS: Ran his socks off but, in that first 45 minutes, had just 10 touches of the football as Villa looked to contain the home side. Very quiet yet again from Ings who just couldn't get going. 5
SUBSTITUTES
TYRONE MINGS ON FOR KONSA, 59 MINUTES: Stumbled and slipped over as Rashford went through to equalise before Fernandes’ strike went in off Mings for 3-2 as United battled back. Got done for pace as McTominay raced through for goal number four. Unsteady. 5
LEON BAILEY ON FOR INGS, 59 MINUTES: Played a key role for Villa’s second as he ran off Dalot before the full-back converted Bailey’s cross into his own goal. Had a bite back at Martinez which I liked given the Argentinian's misdemeanors at Villa Park last weekend. Showed pace and threaded a nice ball into Watkins. 6
EMI BUENDIA ON FOR RAMSEY, 59 MINUTES: Buzzed around and looked busy as he looked to start attacks for Villa. 6
MATTY CASH ON FOR YOUNG, 74 MINUTES: Came on at right-back in a like-for-like change. N/A
LUCAS DIGNE ON FOR AUGUSTINSSON, 80 MINUTES: Another like-for-like change at full-back. N/A
NOT USED: Emi Martinez, Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, Cameron Archer.
OPPOSITION
Manchester United, 4-2-3-1: Dubravka; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof (Martinez, 87), Malacia; Fred (Eriksen, 62), McTominay; Van De Beek (Elanga, 62), Fernandes, Rashford (Casemiro, 82); Martial (Garnacho, 62).
Subs not used: De Gea, Shaw, Pellistri, Shoretire.
GOALS AND OFFICIALS
MANCHESTER UNITED: Martial (49), Rashford (67), Mings own-goal (79), McTominay (90)
ASTON VILLA: Watkins (48), Dalot own-goal (61)
REFEREE: David Coote
ATTENDANCE: 72,512 (7,502 away)
NEXT UP FOR VILLA: Brighton (a) in Premier League; Sunday, November 13, kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
