Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has slammed one star for an awful moment against Aston Villa that seriously cost Rúben Amorim.
Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa will be a huge disappointment for Rúben Amorim, despite most fans expecting the result before the game.
The trip to Villa Park was never going to be easy, with Villa’s current form, but without Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui due to AFCON, it was going to be even harder.
Casemiro’s fifth yellow card of the Premier League season against Bournemouth meant he would also miss the game, as did Kobbie Mainoo. The England international picked up an injury in training, meaning Manuel Ugarte started alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Mainoo’s absence became even more of an issue when Fernandes indicated he had picked up a hamstring issue just before halftime. Lisandro Martínez was forced into midfield to replace the United captain, impressing as he did so, even alongside Jack Fletcher, who also gave a good account of himself.
United’s substitutes impressed, but it was one of the starters who ended United’s hopes of getting back into the game, with one very poor moment during the second 45.
Cunha error costs United
Without Mbeumo and Fernandes, it was on Matheus Cunha to step up and lead United to victory. His goal levelled the game just before halftime, but it was his miss in the second half that cost United the chance to again level the game and mount a push for the lead.
On commentary for Sky Sports, former United defender Gary Neville said: “Oh my goodness,” as Cunha headed wide just minutes after Rogers gave Villa the lead for the second time.
“You will have to go a long way to see a worse miss than that,” said Neville. “[It] had to be a goal. It’s an absolutely brilliant pass from [Mason] Mount and a wonderful cross from [Patrick] Dorgu. On a plate.
“He’s got no excuse, Cunha, he has to score.”
Had Cunha netted his second of the game, United would have had the momentum for the remaining 30 minutes and could’ve taken all three points away from Villa Park.
United’s positives from Villa
Jack Fletcher became the 255th academy graduate to play for United when he replaced Ugarte in the second half, while Shea Lacey became the 256th after replacing Leny Yoro.
Read More: What Morgan Rogers said about Manchester United after Aston Villa clash as ‘tough’ point made
Fletcher partnered Martínez in central midfield in a very makeshift midfield, on paper. However, the duo played well during their partnership, with neither looking out of place in a Premier League midfield.
As for Lacey, he wasn’t on the pitch for as long as Darren Fletcher’s son, but he did show a small glimpse of his talent. Cunha played it wide to Lacey, before the winger took a good touch inside and shot at goal.
The curling effort didn’t trouble Emiliano Martinez, but it wasn’t a poor strike from the United academy graduate.
It’s positive signs from the youngster.
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