MANCHESTER // It was the right result for the man denounced in the skies above Old Trafford as the “Wrong One”.
For the first time since the opening day of the season, Manchester United scored four league goals. Their beleaguered manager received thousands of votes of confidence – and his side beat the European champions.
That is a result that, with Bayern Munich due at Old Trafford on Tuesday, David Moyes must dream about securing. Except that, rather than claiming the scalp of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering adventurers, it was their 1982 counterparts that were duly defeated.
Aston Villa’s days of dominance are long gone. Now former European Cup winners reside in the lower half of the table and, for all their failings against superior sides, Moyes’s United have generally been efficient against underdogs. This was a rare occasion when, with their flair players flourishing, they won with a swagger.
The headline contributions came from Wayne Rooney, who rampaged around the attack with a hunger that brought him two goals, and Juan Mata, who scored a belated first of his underwhelming United career. Tellingly, the Spaniard was more influential as a No 10 and the Englishman revelled in the role of the lone forward.
Yet perhaps the most significant performance was that of Shinji Kagawa.
Marginalised and mediocre this season, the Japanese has been a lightning rod for Moyes’ critics yet, all too often, the cause celebre has offered too little. This was that welcome exception, a rare illustration of his gifts as he probably played himself into the side to face Bayern.
Kagawa was the orchestrator of the comeback that meant the dissenting supporters’ protest against Moyes was doubly ill-judged.
Loyalty has become a leitmotif for United fans this season and so, with some of their number rebelling, others were defiant in their backing of Moyes.
“If ever there was a show of support for their football club, it was today,” he said.
He was applauded warmly when, before the teams came out, he made his way to his seat, making himself a target, but receiving acclaim, not blame. “I stand on the edge of the pitch every week,” the Scot said. “That’s my job.”
As the plane circled overhead, bearing a banner reading “Wrong One – Moyes Out”, some fans booed it, while others concentrated on drowning out the sound of the aircraft by cheering on their team.
They remained resolute when Ashley Westwood put Villa ahead with a free kick conceded by Rafael da Silva, who was struggling to cope with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor.
United’s response brought two droughts to an end. Kagawa had not recorded an assist all season. Rooney had not scored at Old Trafford since October 26. Then the Japanese crossed and, with studied precision, the unmarked Englishman headed in.
Then Kagawa guided a pass into Mata’s path, Leandro Bacuna slid in recklessly and Rooney, back on spot-kick duties with Robin van Persie injured, converted his penalty expertly. “A top player,” said Moyes.
United might have lost a lead, with Christian Benteke twice afforded opportunities to equalise. Instead, they increased it.
Moyes’ two signings fashioned the third goal, Marouane Fellaini provided nuisance value and Mata opened his United account.
“His goals were one of the reasons we bought him,” said Moyes.
Rooney, who has provided 214 since his 2004 signing, would have had a hat-trick but for the heroics of Brad Guzan. Instead, Javier Hernandez added a fourth from Adnan Januzaj’s cross.
“A fantastically worked goal,” said Moyes, as United’s preparations for Bayern, initially so fraught, became more uplifting.
“We have a tough game against probably the best team in Europe,” he said, before adding boldly, “but, you know, bring the challenge on.”
Man of the match
Shinji Kagawa – Showed his class to book a place against Bayern on Tuesday,
Manchester United verdict – Rafael went off injured and a lack of fit defenders is a major worry for the Bayern game. At least they played well here. 7/10.
Aston VIlla verdict – For the second successive game, went 1-0 up and lost 4-1. Those two chances Benteke missed were crucial and some of the defending was poor. 5/10.
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