Manchester United through to FA Cup next round after pipping Aston Villa
Manchester United survived an Aston Villa onslaught – including two goals being disallowed – as Scott McTominay’s early strike proved enough to send Ralf Rangnick’s team into the FA Cup fourth round.
United, who were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, took the lead just eight minutes into the game as Fred sent in an inch-perfect cross from the right and McTominay glanced a header past Emiliano Martinez from close range.
Villa were celebrating what they thought was an equaliser just five minutes into the second half when Ezri Konsa headed a free-kick back across the face of goal for Danny Ings to bundle home from close range.
But after a lengthy VAR review, including Michael Oliver checking the monitor, it was disallowed after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have blocked Edinson Cavani.
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The frustration continued for Villa as Ings again saw celebrations cut short when he raced through and clipped the ball over De Gea for Watkins to tap home, only to see the offside flag go up for the summer signing’s initial run.
It was the story of the game for Steven Gerrard‘s side, who despite the early setback, responded well to going behind to McTominay’s early header.
They did everything but score as John McGinn’s long-range effort was kept out by David de Gea before Ollie Watkins rattled the crossbar after turning Victor Lindelof inside as the hosts got in at the break with their lead intact.
Manchester United’s reward for their 1-0 vicotry over Aston villa is a fourth-round tie against Championship side Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
The fourth-round matches will be played on the opening weekend of February.
