Manchester United strengthened their top-four push with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Casemiro opened the scoring with a header in the 53rd minute, before Ross Barkley leveled for Villa. Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko struck late to secure the win, marking interim boss Michael Carrick’s seventh victory in nine matches.
United now sit third in the Premier League, three points ahead of Villa, with eight games remaining. Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe praised Carrick’s “excellent” work but stopped short of confirming a permanent role.
After a sluggish first half, United broke through when Bruno Fernandes delivered a corner that Casemiro headed past Emiliano Martínez. Fans chanted “one more year” for the Brazilian midfielder, whose contract expires this summer.
Barkley equalized on his first Premier League start in 14 months, but Cunha restored the lead with a clinical finish from Fernandes’ pass. Fernandes also set a new club record with his 16th league assist of the season, surpassing David Beckham’s 1999-2000 mark. Sesko capped the win with a late goal after coming off the bench.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest climbed out of the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw at Fulham, while 10-man Leeds United held Crystal Palace to a goalless draw despite a missed penalty.
Struggling Tottenham Hotspur visit Liverpool later, still winless in 11 league matches and facing a potential relegation scare for the first time since 1977-78.
