Viva Garnacho! Man Utd's new Era Starts with Boxing Day Bang

Man Utd player ratings vs Aston Villa: Viva Alejandro Garnacho! Teen star sparks epic comeback before match-winner Rasmus Hojlund gets the perfect late Christmas present.

The Argentine Viva Alejandro Garnacho dragged the dishevelled Red Devils back from two goals down to earn Erik ten Hag’s side a rousing comeback win

Alejandro Garnacho was already a much-loved figure among Man Utd fans, but now he is an idol. When everyone around him looked shot on confidence, the Argentine believed. And he dragged his team back from the dead against Aston Villa and towards an epic victory.

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INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford was watching from the stands in the first game since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s firm confirmed their 25 percent stake in the club, and in the first half he must have thought they had made a massive mistake investing so much in this fallen giant.

John McGinn had given Villa the lead from a free-kick which he had intended as a cross, and moments later Leander Dendoncker twisted the knife into United after more terrible defending from a set-piece.

But Man Utd came out fired-up after the break and Garnacho led their fightback. He had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside but kept believing and pulled United level in no time with two goals.

It then fell to Rasmus Hojlund to find the winner and score his first Premier League goal in the process. This truly was a night to remember for United, who have been in the doldrums all season yet still have this remarkable spirit to turn dust into gold.

Supersports24 rates United’s players from Old Trafford…

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Goalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (4/10):
Failed to command his box for both goals. Still falling short in the most basic duties of a normal goalkeeper.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10):
Didn’t offer enough in either half of the pitch.
Jonny Evans (7/10):
His experience is invaluable. Made two crucial interventions, first bailing out Dalot, then clearing McGinn’s goal-bound shot off the line.
Raphael Varane (5/10):
Should have commanded the defence better for both goals.
Diogo Dalot (5/10):
Deployed at left-back due to Shaw’s injury and much less useful than on the right.
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  Midfield
  Christian Eriksen (6/10):
  Man Utd have missed his top-draw passes, which gave them an edge in attack.
  
  Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
  Had a poor first half but upped the ante in the second and was crucial to the comeback.
  Kobbie Mainoo (5/10):
  His passes were a bit sloppy and this was a reminder that he still has a long way to go despite his excellent start to life in the first team.
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  Attack
  Marcus Rashford (6/10):
  Showed glimpses of his old self. His shooting is still off but he had a good understanding with Garnacho and set up his first goal.
  Rasmus Hojlund (6/10):
  Was anonymous for most of the game but made amends with a clinical, instinctive finish to win the match and score his first Premier League goal. Hopefully the first of many.
  Alejandro Garnacho (9/10):
  The only one who always believed. Always looked the most likely source of a goal, and after having one narrowly ruled offside by VAR, he kept going, dragging United back from the dead and towards victory.
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  Subs & Manager
  Antony (N/A):
  Came on in the 80th minute.
  Scott McTominay (N/A):
  A late substitute.
  Willy Kambwala (N/A):
  Came on in the 89th minute for his second senior appearance.
  Dan Gore (N/A):
  Brought on for his Premier League debut in added-time.
  Hannibal Mejbri (N/A):
  Came on in added-time.
  Erik ten Hag (8/10):
  His team talk must have galvanised the team as they were a totally different side after the break. His substitutions helped see out the win.