McTominay uses his head to close gap on top four

On evenings such as these Erik ten Hag must feel he has the golden touch. It was not without a by now customary spot of bother but Manchester United racked up a fourth successive win for the first time this season, Scott McTominay's powerful late header helping them to cut the gap to the top four to six points.

- Ben Fisher

Presumably the main question on the lips of fans and the thing whirring around Ten Hag's head is: why did it take so long to get into this groove? McTominay gave Rasmus Højlund, who opened the scoring, a piggyback as United's players celebrated before the away fans. Højlund exhibited his predatory instincts to score his sixth goalin his past seven appearances. But Douglas Luiz cancelled out that strike midway through the second half, at which point Aston Villa undoubtedly had United on the ropes.

It was not quite the late, late show United required at Wolves 10 days before, McTominay scoring with 86 minutes on the clock, but it no doubt tasted just as sweet for Ten Hag.

Was this the night when United lasered in on their rivals? It certainly felt a significant result, United finally winning away at another team vying for a Champions League berth. It seemed they sensed the importance of victory, too. Villa, who dropped to fifth after Tottenham's late win against Brighton, appear stuck in the mud, the wheels of Unai Emery's machine are spinning but with little to show for it. Since losing at United on Boxing Day, they have taken seven points from the past available 18, their two wins coming against teams in the relegation zone in Burnley and, more recently, Sheffield United.