Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League, as they outclassed Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United created some decent scoring opportunities in the opening half, but a lack of finishing let them down.
The Red Devils broke the deadlock soon after the break, with Casemiro heading home a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 53rd minute.
Villa hit back almost instantly through Ross Barkley, who met Lucas Digne’s low cross with a first-time strike.
United restored their advantage when Fernandes delivered a superb through ball to send Matheus Cunha racing, and he hit the target with a precise low strike.
Benjamin Sesko then came off the bench to complete the scoring, as Michael Carrick’s men took a giant step towards Champions League qualification.
United are currently third in the league table, three points above Villa and five above Liverpool. Chelsea, who lost 1-0 to Newcastle United on Saturday, are six points behind in sixth place.
Here are United’s next five fixtures compared to their rivals for Champions League qualification.
United’s next five fixtures
Three of the Red Devils’ next five games are at Old Trafford, with Leeds United, Brentford and Liverpool all scheduled to visit Manchester.
- Bournemouth (A) – March 20, 8.00 pm kick-off
- Leeds United (H) – April 13, 8.00 pm kick-off
- Chelsea (A) – April 18, 8.00 pm kick-off
- Brentford (H) – April 27, 8.00 pm kick-off
- Liverpool (H) – May 2, TBC kick-off
Villa’s next five fixtures
Villa’s run of games looks favourable on paper, but confidence in their camp will likely be low following their recent disappointing results.
- West Ham United (H) – March 22, 2.15 pm kick-off
- Nottingham Forest (A) – April 11, 3.00 pm kick-off
- Sunderland (H) – April 18, 3.00 pm kick-off
- Fulham (A) – April 25, 12.30 pm kick-off
- Tottenham Hotspur (H), May 2, TBC kick-off
Liverpool’s next five fixtures
Liverpool face difficult-looking trips to Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton. A blockbuster clash with United is scheduled in May, and what happens there is anybody’s guess.
- Brighton & Hove Albion (A) – March 21, 12.30 pm kick-off
- Fulham (H) – April 11, 5.30 pm kick-off
- Everton (A) – April 19, 2.00 pm kick-off
- Crystal Palace (H) – April 25, 3.00 pm kick-off
- Manchester United (A) – May 2, TBC kick-off
Chelsea’s next five fixtures
Chelsea face Everton this weekend, before two home clashes with Manchester City and Manchester United.
- Everton (A) – March 21, 5.30 pm kick-off
- Manchester City (H) – April 12, 4.30 pm kick-off
- Manchester United (H) – April 18, 8.00 pm kick-off
- Brighton & Hove Albion (A) – April 26, 4.30 pm kick-off
- Nottingham Forest (H) – May 2, 3.00 pm kick-off
