Manchester United had the last laugh with Emiliano Martinez after what he did at Old Trafford

The United Review programme cover was of the Stretford End, taken from the goalframe at the opposite end. Perhaps there was a message concealed in that image: that the ball has not ended up between those posts often enough this season.

This time, the ball did. For the first time in 346 minutes. Amad's cushioned header ended an eight-game winless run in the Premier League. Manchester United hit Emiliano Martinez, posts right and left, the crossbar and anything either side of the goalframe. Amorim kicked a water bottle, Casemiro kicked the post. Amad used his head.

Soccer Aid is not until next month yet Ruben Amorim made some charitable selections and Bruno Fernandes made a charitable decision. He let Christian Eriksen take the 87th-minute penalty that confirmed Aston Villa's defeat.

United's first league win in two months was procured by their two best players of the season, Fernandes crossing for Amad. The Stretford End willed Fernandes to take the penalty, perhaps anticipating a valediction from the captain. The three points took United past the 40-point mark and up to a flattering 15th.

Champions League-chasing Villa were outplayed before and after they became a man light. Teams have beaten United without performing this season. Villa were beyond bad when victory would have secured a top five finish.

"Champions League, you're having a laugh," chuckled the United fans as Villa ended the season in sixth. "Premier League, you're having a laugh," came the reply.

It will have improved United fans' mood no end that Martinez's Villa career possibly ended with a first-half expulsion. Martinez saw red for cynically barging over Rasmus Hojlund after he mistimed his charge outside the area in added time of the first half.

Martin