BRUNO FERNANDES and Casemiro boosted Manchester United’s Champions League dreams with a 3-1 win over top-five rivals Aston Villa.
Fernandes broke the club record for the most assists in a single season when he set up Casemiro and either side of ‘s equaliser.
Bruno Fernandes was unstoppable as United moved three points clear of Villa in third in the tableCredit: Getty
United switched off as an unmarked Barkley equalised from eight yards after ‘s low cross travelled through a sea of Red shirts.
Cunha’s surfman was followed up by ‘s fifth goal from the bench to send third placed United three points clear of Villa and six clear of .
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from Old Trafford.
Senne Lammens – 6
Enjoyed a relatively quiet first half which was always going to become more alive after half-time.
Was left vulnerable by bad defending as he could not have kept out Barkley’s close range finish. Was not challenged enough to grab Peter Schmeichel’s attention in the press box.
Diogo Dalot – 6
The right back shrugged off his benching at Newcastle with a better performance this afternoon.
He made promising runs and delivered several great balls, but his end product was a glaring issue again when he skied a sighter over from point-blank range before the break.
Harry Maguire – 6
The 32-year-old was solid enough, but still prone to shakiness.
He was a presence at corners and nullified England team-mate Watkins before the striker‘s early sub.
Leny Yoro – 7
Yoro has endured a difficult season but was solid today. He recovered from his disaster-class in the reverse fixture at Villa Park.
The 20-year-old stopped a nailed on opener with a last ditch slide tackle on before the break.
The Frenchman made several key clearances in the second half and was more vocal at the back.
Luke Shaw – 7
Did well to win a goal kick in a tight area on the backline before half-time.
Shaw was weak in stopping Digne’s cross but made up for it with several key blocks as the game grew more nervy.
Has not harmed his chances of making ‘s final England camp before the World Cup.
Casemiro – 7
“One more year, one more year ” sang the Stretford End as the Brazil legend’s farewell parade hit new heights.
The midfielder’s seventh goal of the campaign matched his first season tally. He combined with Fernandes for the fifth time this term and the sixth time from a corner.
His game intelligence will be difficult to replace as he peppered Anthony Taylor’s ear for several soft foul calls.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
The 20-year-old improved on his recent dip in form. He was composed in tight areas and his huge tackle stopped Emiliano Buendia from shooting inside the box.
Mainoo pressed intelligently and drove into space with confidence to feed Fernandes and Mbeumo throughout.
Amad – 7
The winger was another one who bounced back from a recent slump. The smallest man in the box rose the highest before his header was saved by an Emi Martinez at full stretch.
While Amad improved in most areas, his passing was sloppy in key moments.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
The skipper surpassed United legend ‘s club record for assists with two more today. His second delivery for Cunha was sublime.
He again made every forward action tick and is so instrumental to this side. The best No10 in the Prem and perhaps the best player in the league.
Fernandes’ goals and assists have been worth 24 points this season. The only Premier League players with more at this stage of a campaign were and .
Matheus Cunha –8
The surfman’s South American feisty spirit is just want United need at times. His cool finish put Carrick ahead in the 71st minute.
This why Cunha came to United, his surfing celebrating stuck the knife in Unai Emery after he spend minutes arguing with the Villa manager during the VAR check for the visitors leveller.
While Cunha was often caught out of position at Newcastle, he delivered three crosses that would have been brilliant for Benjamin Sesko, who was back on the bench.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
The Cameroon is still struggling after a brilliant first half to the campaign.
He did enjoy a livelier start than in recent weeks where his form has taken a downward spiral, turning Ross Barkley inside out on one occasion. But his only memorable moment was his shot that won the corner United scored from.
SUBS
Benjamin Sesko (for Mbuemo, 75) – 7
The huge round of applause when he came was quickly justified when he lashed in his ninth goal of the campaign.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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