On a day of goodbyes for Manchester United, there was a small insight into what will hopefully be a brighter future under Ruben Amorim, following a deserved 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday evening.
Free from the shackles of expectation, the Red Devils were in positive mood right from the off despite the backdrop of their midweek disappointment, with Mason Mount twice going close in the opening exchanges.
The hope of signing off this wretched Premier League campaign with a win was then bolstered even further following Emi Martinez’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time, with the Argentine foolishly barging into the onrushing Rasmus Hojlund on what could be his final outing for the Midlands side.
After enduring a shaky moment of their own at that same end after the break, involving a controversial call on Altay Bayindir, the wasteful hosts eventually made the breakthrough at Old Trafford following a fine header from Amad Diallo at the backpost. The provider? Well, Bruno Fernandes, of course.
A subsequent foul on Amad then allowed Christian Eriksen the chance to end his United career with a goal from the penalty spot, with the veteran Dane set to depart at the expiry of his contract, alongside Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.
That experienced trio could be among the first departures of what is expected to be a hectic summer in Manchester. Could the aforementioned Hojlund also be on his way?
Rasmus Hojlund’s game in numbers vs Villa
If ever there was a game to epitomise Hojlund’s campaign, it was this one, with the 22-year-old showcasing real endeavour and the odd flash of quality, albeit while still lacking that vital end product.
The Denmark international did play his part in Martinez’s red card, although it remains to be seen whether he would have scored had the Villa ‘keeper not intervened, with United’s number nine taking a particularly wayward touch regardless.
As for the second half, the former Atalanta man – who did tee up Mount’s header early on – failed to capitalise on a Kobbie Mainoo pullback as his poor touch wasted a gilt-edged chance, with it having looked at that stage that the home side would again fire a blank in front of goal.
That luckless outing from United’s number nine also saw a well-taken header ruled out for offside, with Hojlund left looking to the heavens as he remained on just four league goals for the season and only ten in total.
As already stated, there were signs of life up against the Champions League hopefuls, although with reports suggesting that a return to Serie A could be on the cards, time may be up for United’s £64m signing.
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Rasmus Hojlund’s key stats vs Aston Villa |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Record |
|
Minutes played |
81 |
|
Touches |
19 |
|
Shots |
1 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Big chances missed |
1 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
|
Key passes |
2 |
|
Pass accuracy |
60% |
|
Successful dribbles |
0 |
|
Total duels won |
4/9 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
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The same, it must be said, should also be true of his floundering teammate, Bayindir.
Why Altay Bayindir needs to be sold
The ruthless nature of the Red Devils’ upcoming window has been epitomised by reports that Alejandro Garnacho will be up for sale, with the 20-year-old winger having been left out of Sunday’s win – as was Andre Onana.
With uncertainty also surrounding the future of the Cameroonian, this was an opportunity for his understudy to stake his claim. Once again, the Turkish star failed to do so in almost comical fashion.
It was only last month that the former Fenerbahce man was thrown into the mix at St James’ Park, with Onana having been left out of proceedings, only to ultimately ship four himself, while gifting the ball to the home side for the game’s final goal.
Having since also shipped six goals against Brentford and West Ham United combined, the 27-year-old was surprisingly given what should well be a final chance on Sunday, despite journalist Samuel Luckhurst previously suggesting that he should actually be behind Tom Heaton in the goalkeeping pecking order.
That viewpoint was corroborated further by Bayindir’s display against the Villans, with the “lucky” stopper – as described by Luckhurst – failing to grab hold of the ball following Harry Maguire’s backwards header, with Morgan Rogers then pouncing to score.
Controversially – and fortunately for Bayindir – the whistle had blown for a foul before Rogers’ effort had hit the back of the net, with Villa denied what would have been a vital goal against the run of play.
It would have summed up United’s season for a promising performance to be undone by a goalkeeping gaffe, although the officials had something else in mind, sparing Bayindir’s blushes in the process.
The £4.3m addition did go on to make a handful of pivotal saves late on, although his nervousness was illustrated with a dismal parry into the air following Youri Tielemans’ strike, having again provided no assurity for the defenders ahead of him.
With United on the hunt for a new goalkeeper and Bayindir tipped for an exit, this most recent display – which earned him a 5/10 rating from Luckhurst – should well be the final outing of his forgettable Old Trafford adventure.
Of course, there will always be that night at the Emirates, and the Turk’s penalty saving heroics, although it is hard not to look past the litany of mistakes he has made both before and since – not least conceding directly from a Heung-min Son corner in the Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs.
In truth, this is a squad that is in dire need of upgrading. The best place to start would be at either end of the pitch…
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