Two stars shine in Man Utd's win over Aston Villa while duo flop

Manchester United booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

The Red Devils will now face Middlesbrough at home in the next round as Scott McTominay’s strike proved decisive in a lively affair at Old Trafford.

Ralf Rangnick had called for a response from his side following his first defeat to Wolves last time out but United were fortunate to progress given Villa’s several squandered chances.

Danny Ings also saw a goal disallowed after Jacob Ramsey was judged to have blocked Edinson Cavani from a set-piece.

It was another display full of frustration for United supporters and Metro.co.uk has picked out two players who impressed and two who struggled.

Scott McTominay

McTominay was in for a busy evening trying to keep Emi Buendia quiet and at times the Villa midfielder did have his own way in the middle of the park, but the Scot handled him for large spells of the game.

He also netted a headed goal that absent team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of after firing past Emi Martinez from Fred’s pinpoint cross.

Fred and McTominay have endured plenty of criticism in recent months but the ‘McFred’ duo delivered the goods this evening.

McTominay was also awarded the man of the match award.

David de Gea

It says a lot about United’s performance that De Gea was one of the standout players for them this evening.

The Spaniard has had busier nights in his career but when called into action he stood tall, with one of his best saves denying Matty Cash from a tight angle in the second half.

United’s defence were at times at sea and if it wasn’t for De Gea barking orders and making some fine stops, Villa would have come away from Old Trafford victorious.

Victor Lindelof

With Harry Maguire absent, the Swede had another chance to impress Rangnick but certainly did not make the most of his opportunity.

Lindelof almost gifted Villa a goal in the first half after his attempt to control a high ball bounced off his shin and sent Ollie Watkins through on goal but the striker toyed with him before his shot crashed off the bar.

Lindelof never quite looked settled after that playing alongside Raphael Varane.

Marcus Rashford

Things just aren’t quite clicking for the 24-year-old at present with the forward now going 11 games without a goal.

At times he was wasteful in possession and made the wrong decision when going through on goal with his team-mates in space.

Rashford also came in for criticism for not following up a spilled effort from Mason Greenwood that Martinez parried which left co-commentator Dion Dublin baffled as to why he didn’t make an effort to grab an easy goal.

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