Bruno Fernandes penalty sends Manchester United to the top of the Premier League

Manchester United have risen to the top of the Premier League after goals from Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes that saw them beat Aston Villa 2-1.

United, who are now unbeaten in ten games, took the better chances in the first half with Paul Pogba and Fred rejecting the good chances.

Dean Smith’s side grew in the game, with John McGinn forcing David De Gea to make a decent save, but they found themselves behind near halftime when Martial headed a cross from Aaron Wan Bissaka for his fifth of the season.

Villa had the best of a riveting second half with De Gea forced to a brilliant save to launch Olly Watkins’ header over the bar, while Hamed El Ghazi’s volley was narrowly finished.

And his effort was rewarded when a quick free kick from McGinn trapped United and a low cross from Grealish found Bertrand Traore in space, who shoved the ball into the net.

But United were back in front just three minutes later when Douglas Luiz conceded a soft penalty after becoming entangled with Pogba and Fernandes stepped up to shoot the penalty.

And the home team survived a late attack from Villa when Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s team started 2021 perfectly to go to the top with Liverpool.

Does United trust Fernandes too much? He has scored 19 goals in 30 appearances and has been directly involved in seven goals in his last four league games. The Portuguese playmaker was once again at the center of United’s attacks with his work pace and vision. Pogba will have to step up, if he stays in the club beyond the January window, if Fernandes has a slump in form or is not available, while Donny Van De Beek, who was again an unused substitute , is another option for Ole.

David De Gea (Man United): The Spaniard has returned to his best level in the last two games. He made some vital saves in the 1-0 win against the Wolves and again today, their choice was to avoid Olly Watkins’ header and Keinan Davis goal in injury time.

UNITED MANCHESTER: De Gea 9, Wan-Bissaka 6, Bailly 7, Maguire 7, Shaw 8, Fred 5, McTominay 5, Pogba 7, Fernandes 8, Rashford 6, Martial 7. Subs: Matic 5, James n / a, Tuanzebe n / a .

ASTON VILLA: Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 5, Mings 5, Targett 7, Luiz 5, McGinn 8, Grealish 7, Traore 7, El Ghazi 5, Watkins 5. Subs: Ramsey n / a, Davis n / a.

26 ‘- OPPORTUNITY! Pogba fires a shot from inside the box well wide after Mings blocked Rashford’s effort.

40 ‘- GOAL FROM UNITED! Pogba wins the ball, Wan-Bissaka centers it on Martial in the six-meter area that heads to the center of the goal.

52 ‘- BETTER SAVINGS! De Gea heads a Watkins header over the crossbar after a clever pass from Grealish.

57 ‘- GOAL FOR VILLA! Quick free-kick, ball low at Grealish’s far post for Traore to tighten for the equalizer.

61 ‘- UNITED SCORES A PENALTY! Fernandes scores the penalty after Pogba fell into a leg mess with Luiz.

77 ‘- CARPENTRY! Fernandes picks up a fumble on the edge of the area and deflects a shot that Martinez throws to the bar.

Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 100 league goals since the start of the 2017-18 season.