Bruno Fernandes scored two goals in the crucial 3-1 win over Villa, taking his total to 100 assists in all competitions.
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Manchester United strengthened their bid to qualify for the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over top-four rivals Aston Villa.
Michael Carrick’s side took the lead at Old Trafford on Sunday through Casemiro’s second-half opener before Ross Barkley equalized for Villa.
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Late goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesco sealed United’s seventh win in nine games since Carrick took over as caretaker manager.
United sit third in the Premier League and are three points behind fourth-placed Villa in the race for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe this week praised Carrick’s “fantastic” work, but stopped short of committing to the former Old Trafford star long-term.
But Carrick is adamant that he will earn the permanent position after stabilizing United following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim.
United’s latest win came 11 days after their first defeat in charge against Newcastle, with Carrick celebrating on the touchline after Sesco wrapped up the points.
Splattering Villa have lost their last three league games and have won just one of seven top-flight games, leaving them three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining in the race for European qualification.
After a lethargic first half, United finally broke through Villa’s defense in the 53rd minute.
Emiliano Martínez converted a sharp strike from Brian Mbeumo to earn a corner kick that gave them the lead.
Bruno Fernandes met the corner at the near post and Casemiro ran in at the perfect time to head past Martinez.
Casemiro is likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, with United fans chanting “one more year” for the Brazilian midfielder.
United lost concentration and surrendered the lead in the 64th minute.
Barkley, making his first Premier League start in 14 months, fired a stunning shot past Senne Lamence from 11 meters (12 yards) after United were unable to avoid danger.
But Cunha scored in the 71st minute to ensure that Carrick’s side paid for their stumble.
The Brazilian forward took a great pass from Fernandes and raced into the Villa area, finishing superbly into the far corner.
It was Fernandes’ 16th assist in the Premier League this season, surpassing United captain David Beckham’s club record of 15 in 1999-2000.
Since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, he has provided 100 assists in all competitions for United.
Sesko came off the bench to prove his point to Carrick after being sent off, and the Slovenian striker fired a deflected shot into the net in the 81st minute.
Fernandes said he was happy to surpass Beckham’s record by giving his teammate two assists.
“I’m more proud and satisfied because I did it for my teammates. Giving joy to others is also very good,” he said.
“When you play in my position, I’m very happy to be able to help them score and make them happy in the moment. This is a big achievement for me, but the main achievement will be to be in first place at the end of the season.”
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest moved out of the relegation zone after drawing 0-0 with Fulham at the City Ground.
Still waiting for their first win under Vitor Pereira, fourth-bottom Forest, who have had four managers this term, are ahead of third-place West Ham on goal difference.
Ten-a-side Leeds held on to a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty miss and Gabriel Gutmundsson’s red card.
Later on Sunday, struggling Tottenham face Liverpool, who remain outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
