Manchester United lost 0-1 against Aston Villa in the 2021/2022 Premier League match at Old Trafford Stadium, Saturday (25/9).
Man Utd immediately appeared pressing since the first whistle sounded. Red Devils attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes got Man Utd’s first chance when his shot in front of Aston Villa just bounced over the bar.
In the 15th minute, Aston Villa managed to threaten the Man Utd goal through Matt Targett’s flick from close range, but still bounced over David de Gea’s crossbar.
Then using a quick counter-attack, Man Utd again threatened the Aston Villa goal in the 18th minute, through Mason Greenwood’s shot. However, Greenwood’s shot was too weak to be easily secured by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Man Utd then got a chance in the 24th minute through Paul Pogba’s kick, but still narrowly deviated on the left side of the Aston Villa goal.
Aston Villa had threatened the Man Utd goal in the 40th minute through Ezri Konza’s header. However, the ball can still be secured by David de Gea.
Manchester United then got a golden opportunity in the 45+2 minute through Pogba’s header which was still slightly off the right side of the Aston Villa goal.
In the second half, Manchester United also got a golden opportunity through Greenwood in the 64th minute. However, his shot was still too weak so it was easily secured by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
In the 70th minute, Man Utd again had the opportunity to score, but Pogba’s shot was still sliding thinly on the left side of the Aston Villa goal.
To add power to the attack, Man United brought in Edinson Cavani in the 82nd minute to replace McTominay.
In the 83rd minute, Man United also got a chance through Fernandes’ header. However, the Portuguese player’s header was still weak so it was easily secured by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.
Man Utd finally conceded in the 88th minute through defender Kortney Hause’s header from a corner.
In the 92nd minute, Man Utd got a chance to score the equalizer through a penalty. However, Bruno Fernandes who became the executor of the penalty failed to maximize the opportunity after his shot bounced over the Aston Villa crossbar.
Before the moment Fernandes missed a penalty, Martinez tried to have a war of nerves with the Man Utd players. In particular, the compatriot Lionel Messi in the Argentine national team tried to do a war of nerves with Ronaldo.
In the video footage of the match, Martinez seemed to want Ronaldo to take the penalty and not Fernandes. The former Arsenal goalkeeper even pointed his finger at Ronaldo.
However, Martinez’s request was ignored by Ronaldo. CR7 chose to step outside the penalty box, while Martinez was pushed by Fred and Edinson Cavani to return to his position.
Martinez’s war of nerves proved successful in disturbing the concentration of Man Utd players. Fernandes, who is usually so good at executing penalties, was unable to shake Martinez’s goal.
The ball from Fernandes’ kick was over the crossbar. Martinez celebrated Fernandes’ failure by celebrating in front of Man Utd supporters.
Fernandes’ failure to execute a kick from 12 points made Man Utd lose this match. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad ended the match with their heads bowed in front of the public themselves.
