When Jack Grealish cut inside and bent the ball into David de Gea’s top corner, the home crowd must have wondered the last time one of their players scored a goal of similar quality.
He danced inside his full-back and curled a sumptuous effort which started outside the post, before nestling into the United net.
If truth be told, the last perhaps comparable effort that springs to mind, was scored in the same goal, in the same corner, by Andreas Pereira against Southampton last season.
He has scored just one goal since then, despite featuring in 13Premier Leaguematches this campaign.
The Brazilian has been merely a squad player in recent seasons, spending time away on loan at Granada and Valencia.
Yet now, due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s humility and faith, he’s become a mainstay in the United side.
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Man Utd have two passengers as Jack Grealish proved for Man Utd(Image: GETTY)
Jack Grealish scored a stunner for Aston Villa against Man Utd(Image: GETTY)
However, those numbers are simply not good enough for a creative midfielder and the fact United are so persistent with standing by him is a real cause for concern.
His performance in the first half up until a superb cross for the leveller, was disastrous, particularly when compared with Jack Grealish.
He was wasteful in possession and struggled for ideas and against the likes of Aston Villa, he should be looking to put out a statement.
That’s what Grealish did, in a game where nobody expected much of the visitors.
Grealish always wants the ball and works tirelessly when he doesn’t have it.
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Not only that, but at 24 years old he is Villa’s captain and takes great individual responsibility and pride in their performances.
If he has a good game, Villa seem to have one too.
There was once a time when the same could be said of Juan Mata, who is now virtually a forgotten man at Old Trafford.
Supporters could have been forgiven for forgetting he was even on the pitch on Sunday afternoon.
Aston Villa Jack Grealish starred against Man Utd midfielder Andreas Andreas Pereira(Image: GETTY)
But quite frankly, United fans couldn’t ignore another dire performance.
The speed Mata lacks physically, he used to make up for upstairs, but even that seems to be gone now.
Grealish though, is *** razor sharp, anticipating where the ball will drop.
Many have claimed that Mata’s alarming dip in quality since his Chelsea days was down to being played out of position.
That’s something that Grealish has taken in his stride, moving from his preferred No 10 role to the left flank.
He’s the type of midfielder United have craved for so long and based on today’s performance, the hierarchy will be well aware of what he brings to the table. )
If he continues to play like this, he’ll be on the plane to Euro 2020 with England and United would be foolish to let any transfer opportunity to sign him pass them by.
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