• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Man Utd attempted to 'mimic' Aston Villa's free-kick routine but it failed miserably

Home> Football> Football News

Updated 12:29 27 Dec 2023 GMTPublished 11:51 27 Dec 2023 GMT

Man Utd attempted to 'mimic' Aston Villa's free-kick routine but it failed miserably

Bruno Fernandes appeared to try and mimic Leon Bailey's antics in the first-half at Old Trafford.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Manchester United failed in their attempts to recreate Aston Villa's clever set-piece routine during their Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Unai Emery's side silenced Old Trafford in the early stages of Tuesday night's Premier League clash, when John McGinn's inswinging free-kick from the right-hand side beat goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Upon further inspection, however, it appears Villa winger Leon Bailey played a key role in the goal.

Advert

The Jamaica international positioned himself behind Onana, and appeared to shout something in the goalkeeper's ear before sprinting back towards his team-mates, meaning he could not be offside.

McGinn's cross-turned-shot soon nestled into the back of the net, with VAR deeming that Ollie Watkins, who was in an offside position, did not get a touch on the ball.

Leander Dendoncker soon doubled Villa's lead in the 26th minute and the game looked all-but-over as Erik ten Hag's men struggled to create any real chances.

In fact, five minutes later, a poor set-piece routine summed up their dismal first-half efforts.

Advert

Bruno Fernandes made an attempt to distract Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal, although referee Craig Pawson was far from pleased with his intentions.

The Portuguese midfielder then appeared to make a gesture as if to point at Bailey's actions before McGinn's opener but moments later, Christian Eriksen failed to beat the wall.

In fact, Eriksen proceeded to slip as the attack fizzled out in seconds.

Image credit: NBC
Image credit: NBC

Advert

Image credit: NBC
Image credit: NBC
Image credit: NBC
Image credit: NBC

Despite their far-from-convincing efforts in the opening stages, United managed to bounce back in the second period as goals from Alejandro Garnacho [2] and Rasmus Hojlund sealed all three points.

In his post-match interview, Erik ten Hag said he was optimistic about the future after being asked about the INEOS takeover.

Advert

"We are optimists," he said. "We were kept informed during the whole process so we knew what was going on. It's very good and I'm looking forward to working with them. It's very positive for Manchester United, I know. For now, we were focusing on the game and to get the win. For our season, it was so important that we bounced back and showed character.

"That's very important for this team to get a base we can build on."

Featured Image Credit: Amazon Prime

Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Aston Villa, Erik Ten Hag, Bruno Fernandes

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack is a Senior Journalist who enjoys a long read. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day, and has interviewed a handful of FM's finest, including Freddy Adu, Supat Rungratsamee and Mika Aaritalo.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • ITV SportITV Sport
    8 hours ago

    Thomas Tuchel 'Calls Out' Three England Players for Performance in Andorra Win

    The England head coach saw his side beat Andorra 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Villa Park on Saturday.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    9 hours ago

    Kobbie Mainoo Responds to Claims He Aimed Dig at Ruben Amorim With Cryptic Post

    The England international was heavily linked with a move away from Man United in the transfer window, but was forced to stay at the club.

    Football
  • ITVITV
    9 hours ago

    ITV Commentator Called Out for 'Awful' Error in England vs Andorra Coverage

    Lee Dixon made an embarrassing mistake during coverage of England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    10 hours ago

    Alexander-Arnold Stuns England Fans With Unexpected Post During Andorra Match

    Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the England squad by Thomas Tuchel

    Football
  • Man Utd to retain clever clause in Jadon Sancho contract if he joins Aston Villa
  • Man Utd Aim Final Dig at Jadon Sancho as He Completes Aston Villa Transfer
  • Man Utd 'planning' swap deal to sign Emi Martinez from Aston Villa that will benefit both clubs
  • Man Utd fans spot what Bruno Fernandes did immediately after Grimsby defeat and it sums him up