After a month’s absence, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf made a comeback on Monday night from the start for Manchester United against Aston Villa at home in the third round of the FA Cup. Countryman Anthony Elanga started on the bench, while superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was out of the squad due to minor injury problems.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Manchester United got off to a dream start and took the lead in the eighth minute, when Scott McTominay held on to 1-0. A dream start for the big club. United then had a lot of ball, but it was Villa who was first closest to the next goal in the match. Ollie Watkins came to a good position in the penalty area, but shot in the crossbar, which meant United lead at the break.
In the second half, Danny Ings pushed the ball into the net, but after a while the goal was ruled out after a VAR check. United’s German coach Ralf Rangnick could thus breathe a sigh of relief.
– It was a long time. I think it was the right decision, says Rafael Varane to the BBC.
– How long do you wear? The judges took three and a half minutes to make a decision. They watched two or three events in it. When VAR is there and makes decisions, you have to accept it. There is nothing you can do to change it. The easy way is to blame the judges, but we will not do that, Villa coach Steven Gerrard told the BBC.
A little later, Ollie Watkins put the ball in goal, but then a VAR check was not required to establish that it was offside. In connection with the ruled goal, Nilsson Lindelöf thundered in with his right knee in one post, which made him lie down in the grass. At first, the Swede seemed to be forced to change, but in the end he clearly played the match.
Elanga made a lively run in the final stage, but did not end up in the goal record this time and United eventually won 1-0, which meant advancement in the tournament.
– It was a difficult match. We suffered on the pitch together and I like our spirit in this match. We had opportunities for more goals, says Varane.
Startelvor:
Manchester United: De Gea – Dalot, Nilsson Lindelöf, Varane, Shaw – McTominay, Fred – Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford – Cavani.
Aston Villa: Martinez – Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett – McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey – Buendia, Ings, Watkins.
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