Ras shows he's a Red in spirited fightback

WHILE Alejandro Garnacho celebrated the equaliser, Rasmus Hojlund grabbed the ball. Hojlund wanted a winning goal. He got it.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Garnacho sunk to his knees and thanked the heavens. Andre Onana charged the length of the pitch and almost hurdled the throng that Hojlund was buried under. The catharsis of Hojlund's first Premier League goal at the 15th attempt was trumped by the comeback.

The Stretford End chanted Hojlund's name for the first time to Depeche Mode, overdue for a player who quickly bonded with the hardcore contingent at Manchesterplatz in Munich. As ever, United entered to The Stone Roses and this was the one Hojlund was waiting for.

Nights like this will reassure Erik ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe that Old Trafford and United still retain their aura. Their ecstatic supporters will have floated out of the grand old stadium.

Villa were cowed by a United they have been all too familiar with in recent decades. Just when they thought that United had been banished, they resurfaced.

This was more meaningful than the 3-2 recovery against Nottingham Forest in the last week of August. Villa have overtaken United and this was another night where records threatened to tumble. Kobbie Mainoo rallied the crowd upon his removal and fellow teenager Willy Kambwala celebrated a clearance.

Villa have been victims of 3-2 United comebacks more often than they would care to remember. Even with a points chasm of 11 at kick-off and Villa occupying one of the Champions League places, United still inflicted another on them.

This is the United the Old Trafford denizens recognise. Ten Hag's position went from untenable to indisputable within 45 minutes. Ten Hag held his nerve and eschewed any personnel 6 changes at the interval with United 2-0 down and subjected to more boos. They reemerged to a defiant roar and responded spiritedly.