Sealed With A 'Jig'! Carrick Dances As Bruno Breaks Beckham's Record In Man Utd's 3-1 Win Over Villa

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 22:16 IST

Manchester United boosted their Champions League hopes with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa. Casemiro, Cunha, and Sesko scored. United are now third in the Premier League.

Manchester United strengthened their pursuit of a Champions League spot with a crucial 3-1 victory over top-four rivals Aston Villa on Sunday.

Michael Carrick’s team took the lead through Casemiro’s second-half goal at Old Trafford before Ross Barkley equalised for Villa.

Manchester United finished the match strongly, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko scoring late goals to secure Carrick’s seventh win in nine games since becoming interim manager.

Currently third in the Premier League, United are three points ahead of fourth-placed Villa in the race for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe commended Carrick’s “excellent" performance this week but stopped short of offering the former Old Trafford star a long-term contract.

Carrick is making a strong case for a permanent position after stabilising the team following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.

United’s latest win came after an 11-day break since their first defeat under Carrick at Newcastle, and he celebrated joyfully on the touchline after Sesko secured the points.

Struggling Villa have lost their last three league games and have only one win in their last seven top-flight matches, leaving them three points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining in the battle for European places.

After a sluggish first half, United finally broke through Villa’s defence in the 53rd minute.

Bryan Mbeumo’s powerful shot was saved by Emiliano Martinez, resulting in a corner that led to the opening goal.

Bruno Fernandes delivered a corner to the near post, and Casemiro made a perfectly timed run to head the ball past Martinez for his league goal this season.

With Casemiro expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, United fans chanted “one more year" to the Brazilian midfielder.

United lost their focus and conceded the equaliser in the 64th minute.

In his first Premier League start in 14 months, Barkley struck a superb shot past Senne Lammens from 12 yards after United failed to clear the danger.

Casemiro, Matheus Cunha And Benjamin Sesko Score

Cunha scored in the 71st minute to ensure Carrick’s team did not suffer from their lapse.

Racing onto Fernandes’ excellent pass into the Villa box, the Brazilian forward finished neatly into the far corner.

It was Fernandes’ 16th Premier League assist this season, surpassing David Beckham’s previous club record of 15 in the 1999-2000 season.

He has 100 assists for United in all competitions since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.

Sesko, coming off the bench after being dropped, fired home with a deflected effort in the 81st minute to make a point to Carrick.

(With inputs from Agencies)

News sports football Sealed With A 'Jig'! Carrick Dances As Bruno Breaks Beckham's Record In Man Utd's 3-1 Win Over Villa

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