Hojlund ends drought as United comeback sinks Villa

Rasmus Hojlund's long-awaited first Premier League goal completed a stunning comeback as Manchester United recovered from 2-0 down to beat high-flying Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford.

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Villa appeared to be heading level on points with league leaders Liverpool after goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put them 2-0 up inside 26 minutes, but United found a rousing response in the second half, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring twice before Hojlund won it in the 82nd minute.

The result was badly needed by Erik ten Hag after four games without a win or even a goal, and with INEOS director of sport Dave Brailsford watching on from the director's box two days after Jim Ratcliffe's imminent investment in the club - and control of footballing matters - was confirmed.

And the goal was badly needed by £72million man Hojlund, who had gone 16 games without finding the net in domestic competition, despite finishing United's ill-fated Champions League campaign as their top scorer.

At half-time, boos had rung out around the stadium with United seemingly on their way to a 14th defeat of the season.

By full-time, there was an almighty cheer and United, who have rarely seemed far from a crisis this season, were up to sixth in the table.

Ratcliffe's minority shareholding brings the promise of change but it is not the clean break from the hated Glazer family most United fans crave. Chants against their American owners surfaced almost immediately after kick-off.

Brailsford, due to take a seat on the football club board once Ratcliffe's 25 per cent minority stake-holding is ratified by the Premier League, would have been worried by what he saw as Villa made scoring against United look all too simple.

The opening goal came 21