Analysis: Why United’s first half was impressive

Beyond the 32nd minute, United allowed a further three on De Gea’s goal before the break, with only one in return. The control was lost slightly. In the second half, after a tricky opening few minutes, United reasserted some control. Villa didn’t manage a shot between the 57th and 74th minutes, while United managed four.

This was down to compactness, Fernandes and Rangnick were sure. The gap between the defensive line and midfield unit was small, limiting the space for Villa to pass into, and Edinson Cavani led the press from the front, forcing the opposition into mistakes.

A trend of early goals

Fernandes was admittedly fortunate to see his dipping strike find the back of the net. It needed Emi Martinez to fumble the ball and allow it to trickle through his legs.

That being said, United attacked consistently, and, as Rangnick pointed out post-match, “could have been two or three-nil up by half-time.”

There was an intensity to United’s play that has sometimes been missing early on in games this season. Before the opening three minutes were out, Bruno and Alex Telles had between them taken two corners and two free-kicks in dangerous locations.