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BIRMINGHAM. — Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his team showed great character to come from behind and beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park yesterday.
The result guaranteed United a top four finish even if they lose all their remaining games.
”A great result and it takes a little bit of pressure away from having to get results because the next two [versus Leicester and Liverpool] are against very good teams,” said Solskjaer.
“It shows character, resilience, belief, fitness. It is difficult at times, especially when you travel back and don’t get home until 5am Friday and then travel here.
“It is a long season and I am delighted for everyone.”
United also ensured city rivals Manchester City must wait to be crowned champions.
Having sealed their place in the Europa League final, despite a 3-2 second-leg defeat by Roma on Thursday, second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood and substitute Edinson Cavani – followed by West Ham’s loss to Everton – ensured Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side secured a Champions League place.
A win for Villa would have sealed the title for leaders City – beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Saturday – and Bertrand Traore’s emphatic finish into the top corner midway through the first half threatened to do just that.
Emiliano Martinez was equal to attempts from Greenwood and Marcus Rashford as United struggled to respond initially, while Dean Henderson kept out Ollie Watkins’ strike to deny Villa a second before half-time.
United levelled shortly after the restart when Fernandes calmly slotted in a penalty after Douglas Luiz needlessly fouled Paul Pogba, and Greenwood completed a four-minute turnaround when his low strike found the bottom corner.
A VAR check for handball against Greenwood was dismissed after Luiz headed the ball onto the arm of the United forward and the visitors successfully resisted late Villa pressure despite the loss of captain Harry Maguire to injury, before Cavani confirmed victory in the closing stages.
In a frantic finale, Villa forward Watkins also received a red card for a second booking for simulation when under pressure from goalkeeper Henderson.
United are 10 points behind champions-elect City but will have the chance to move within four points as they face Leicester and Liverpool before the leaders next play.
United set Premier League comeback record — the stats
Manchester United have won 10 Premier League matches after conceding first this season, a record by a team in a single season in the competition.
They have also recovered 31 points from losing positions, with only Newcastle United in 2001-02 recovering more in a single Premier League season (34).
United are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League away games, with those 25 games coming in Bruno Fernandes’ first 25 away Premier League appearances for the club.
Mason Greenwood scored his 16th Premier League goal, the most of any teenager for the club, overtaking Wayne Rooney’s tally of 15.
Edinson Cavani netted his fifth Premier League goal as a substitute this season, equalling the record of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 1998-99 and Javier Hernandez in 2010-11.
Harry Maguire ended a run of 71 consecutive Premier League matches for Manchester United in which he completed 90 minutes – the joint-longest run alongside Gary Pallister between 1993 and 1995.
Aston Villa have lost eight home Premier League matches this season. Only Sheffield United (13) and Fulham (11) have lost more.
Bertrand Traore is the first player to score home and away against Manchester United and lose both games in a Premier League season since Robin van Persie in 2011-12. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter