ESPN pundit hails Man Utd tactical tweak avoiding mistake which saw £78m City star ‘ripped apart’

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Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa in a memorable last game of 2023 at Old Trafford.

While Patrice Evra predicted it, few would have confidently called Manchester United’s comeback at half-time against Aston Villa.

Villa were heading for the top of the table, before Alejandro Garnacho inspired a turnaround, sealed by Rasmus Hojlund’s late winner.

United won the game 3-2, with the team rock solid defensively in the second half to shut out Unai Emery’s side.

Manchester United stifle Aston Villa

Manchester United were able to limit Aston Villa’s attacking intent, with the visitors only scoring from two set pieces.

The second half was particularly strong from Erik ten Hag‘s side, and a defensive tweak has been picked out as helping the team to take control.

Speaking to ESPN, former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop praised a small change from the Manchester United manager, which he felt had a big impact.

Pointing to the way Manchester City’s £78 million defender Josko Gvardiol was given a torrid time by Villa’s Leon Bailey in their recent match, and he praised United for wising up.

Hislop said: “A couple of weeks ago Bailey absolutely tore Gvardiol to shreds, because he was left one on one. The first half he was left one-on-one with Dalot and I was like here we go again, he is going to have a field day.

“But as the game wore on and in particular in the second half, you saw Evans start to drift over more, and not once in the second half do I remember Bailey getting one-on-one with Dalot, in the way he was in the first.

“I just felt some of the little adjustments United made were very effective, an adjustment I don’t recall seeing at any point this season.”

United kept Watkins quiet

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has caused Manchester United problems in the past and he came into this match with nine goals in 18 games.

Against United last night he was kept quiet, with Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane defending very well, aside from the two early set piece goals.

Craig Burley told ESPN that he was impressed with Evans and Varane, commenting: “I thought they did a really good job on Ollie Watkins in the second half. We barely saw Ollie Watkins in the second half.

“Whenever I see Villa play, he’s a nightmare for defenders. An absolute nightmare.”

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