On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 1-0 with ease, and talkSPORT analyst Mark Goldbridge praised their center-backs in particular.
When Unai Emery's Villans visited Manchester on Sunday, the Red Devils didn't exactly light up the globe, but Erik ten Hag's team did exactly what they needed to do to earn all three points and move one step closer to a comeback to the Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes capitalized on Emiliano Martinez's error to seal the victory for the home team, but it was the red-clad defenders that really impressed Goldbridge.
The United supporter and talkSPORT host praised both Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, calling them "fantastic" before adding "superb" and "enable Erik Ten Hag's men to play much more dynamically and quickly between plays."
Shaw has become a fan favorite, but Ten Hag will likely be most pleased with Lindelof's performance because the manager was without both of his first-choice center-backs, Raphael Varane and Lindelof.
Since one of his teammates became hurt, the £170,000 per week star has undoubtedly stepped up, and today might have been his greatest one yet. The 28-year-old completed 97% of his passes, according to Sofascore, and only lost possession three times overall. He also only lost one duel overall during the entire game.
Perhaps a strong finish to the season for Lindelof can persuade his manager to keep him around as the third-choice center-back given that the Red Devils appear to be searching for new center-backs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Erik Ten Hag was impressed by the 28 year old performance as he hailed the whole team's display.
“A good three points but I think an impressive performance from us. We were magnificent on the ball, had good possession and pressed well."
“Victor Lindelof played brilliantly. He was totally in control of the area around Watkins. Bruno Fernandes had another great game as well. The plan was to play him from the right to make runs behind and he did that so well. I think our plan worked very well.”
“We look from game to game and next we have Brighton so we need to work hard again. We need to show passion again and not worry about the table.
“We are totally in position for the top four, it’s all about us and it’s in our hands.”
Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 1-0 in the first half to move closer to qualifying for the Champions League. This broke Aston Villa's 10-game winning streak.
The 10-game unbeaten streak of Aston Villa was broken by Bruno Fernandes' goal, which tightened Manchester United's hold on Champions League qualifying.
Since taking over for Steven Gerrard at Villa in November and beginning his tenure with an impressive victory over Manchester United, Unai Emery has presided over an incredible turnaround.
However, United's 1-0 victory on Sunday was secured by Fernandes' first-half goal against the backdrop of anti-Glazer demonstrations. United had lost their previous three Premier League games versus Birmingham, and they came out strong at Old Trafford ready to break that streak.
Before Erik ten Hag's team earned a goal when Fernandes battled to turn in after Emiliano Martinez blocked a Marcus Rashford shot, Casemiro hit the crossbar for the visitors.
As a result of the excellent Victor Lindelof clearing a late Douglas Luiz shot off the line, Villa were unable to retaliate and failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time under Emery.
Only two days prior to the game, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe submitted their third and, presumably, last bids to purchase United.
Minority investments are sought after by additional parties, and one of Ratcliffe's proposed deals reportedly allows for the continued participation of Joel and Avram Glazer as shareholders.
A large banner that stated "Full $ale Only" was carried by a group of United supporters as they protested the Glazers by marching to Old Trafford.
While flares from protesters outside the stadium filled Old Trafford as well, many did not heed the call for an 18-minute boycott—one minute for each year that the Glazers have owned the team.
Marcus Rashford, who Marcel Sabitzer put through, missed the target after being called for offside during the buildup. As soon as Fernandes cleverly moved him in to get away a shot that Martinez spread himself well to stop, the 25-year-old had another opportunity.
The Villa goalkeeper performed admirably there, but soon after, he was twice exhaling in relief. After he rushed off his line to cut out a ball, the World Cup winner slipped, and a Fernandes cross narrowly missed teammates, United failed to punish him.
Around the 20-minute mark, Emery's team had a fantastic opportunity but had provided very little in the way of a response. Emiliano Buendia sent in a tempting low ball, and Ollie Watkins slipped at the far post. David De Gea saved Alex Moreno's powerful follow-up.
The midfielder, who has played poorly in previous games, was outstanding on Sunday and came agonizingly close to scoring in the 28th minute.
After doing some excellent work on the left to meet a diagonal ball, Jadon Sancho cut back for Casemiro to eventually hit a shot that rocked the crossbar.
When it appeared that a fun half would come to a scoreless conclusion, Fernandes scored in the 39th.
Rashford was given a goal-scoring opportunity when Martinez's goal-kick was forcefully headed away.
The forward's low shot was only parried by the goalie, and Fernandes outdueled Moreno to score the goal with the rebound. The captain praised himself while gazing at the opposition supporters who had teased him.
After a VAR review, Fernandes was given the go-ahead to strike, and Martinez easily stopped his second attempt in stoppage time.
In the second half, Villa showed signs of energy, but Lindelof neutralized Watkins and Ramsey.
At the other end, Martinez stopped Rashford, and Christian Eriksen pulled wide after watching Tyrone Mings coolly cut out a cross.
Casemiro came close to scoring as play continued unabated after Rashford went down and claimed a penalty against Calum Chambers.
Villa came close to scoring in the 81st minute. After some goal-bound pinball in the penalty area, Sabitzer stopped a shot from Luiz before Lindelof rose the highest to clear the line with his follow-up strike.
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