Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa: McTominay puts fortunate Red Devils into FA Cup fourth round

 

Aston Villa had two goals disallowed and were the better side at Old Trafford, but Manchester United are into the FA Cup fourth round.

Scott McTominay's early header gave Manchester United a fortunate 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.

McTominay scored his second goal of the season after only seven minutes at Old Trafford on Monday and that was enough to set up a fourth-round tie at home to Middlesbrough.

Villa were the better side, but it was a frustrating night for boss Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool legend's first trip to United as a manager, with Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings having second-half goals disallowed.

Gerrard's side had plenty of chances to at least force extra time in a breathless encounter, but United responded with a victory amid talk of unrest in the camp following a defeat against Wolves.

McTominay got the Red Devils off to a great start, nodding Fred's superb whipped cross from the right beyond Emiliano Martínez

Villa took that early blow on the chin and David de Gea made a fine save to keep out John McGinn's rasping drive, before Watkins rattled the crossbar after producing a lovely piece of skill to beat Victor Lindelof following a poor mistake from the Sweden defender.

Jacob Ramsey's shot deflected narrowly wide as Villa continued to apply the pressure, but they needed a Matty Cash block to keep out Bruno Fernandes' goal-bound strike and a sharp Martinez save from Luke Shaw's long-drive thunderbolt to avoid going two goals behind in an entertaining first half.

Ings thought he had equalised from inside the six-yard box five minutes into the second half, but referee Michael Oliver ruled the goal out for a foul by Ramsey on Edinson Cavani.

There was more frustration for Villa soon after when Watkins applied the finish but Ings had strayed just offside before he raced clear and failed to beat De Gea.

The busy De Gea then palmed Cash's well-struck effort around the post before getting a fingertip on Watkins' strike and although United fans voiced their fury when Marcus Rashford failed to react as the ball went loose following Martinez's save from Mason Greenwood, they were able to celebrate reaching round four.

What does it mean? Job done but United far from convincing

There have been reports that all is not well in the United squad after they were beaten 1-0 by Wolves in their first game of the year, with a whole host of players wanting out.

An FA Cup exit would have been a big blow for Rangnick, without Cristiano Ronaldo due to a minor injury, and although this performance was not convincing they got the job done.

Villa understandably felt aggrieved to see Ings' goal ruled out following a long VAR check, which resulted in Oliver being asked to take a look on the touchline, where he ruled that Ramsey had blocked Cavani in the box. There was no controversy over Watkins' disallowed goal, but Gerrard's side were unlucky to crash out.

United in safe hands with De Gea

Spain goalkeeper De Gea has rescued United on many occasions and he was in top form once again as Villa caused the Red Devils all sorts of problems.

Villa, who have lost six consecutive FA Cup ties, will wonder how United advanced while keeping a clean sheet.

Lindelof lapses a concern

Centre-back Lindelof breathed a massive sigh of relief when his error under no pressure gave Watkins a chance to open the scoring, but the Villa striker hit the woodwork from close range.

Lindelof, playing alongside Raphael Varane, was given a tough evening by Watkins and Ings.

What's next?

Philippe Coutinho is set for his Villa debut when they attempt to get revenge over United at Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday.