Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat a formidable Aston Villa 3-2 in a thrilling Boxing Day encounter at Old Trafford.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker had given Villa a deserved half-time advantage, but it was the19-year-old Argentine Alejandro Garnacho who had a goal disallowed by VAR scoring twice in a game for the first time in his career to turn the game on its head.
McGinn’s goal came directly from a free kick on the right as the midfielder’s cross was allowed to bounce in the area and carried on into the back of the net without anyone getting a touch.
Five minutes later Villa doubled their lead after more bad defending from United when, from a corner, Dendoncker stuck a foot out to divert Clement Lenglet’s header over the line.
And, for the home fans at least, there could be no more fitting scorer than Hojlund, who reacted quickest and rammed the ball home after Bruno Fernandes’ corner had struck McGinn and bounced free inside a packed penalty area.
The relief for Hojlund and his team-mates was clear to see, with goalkeeper Andre Onana racing the full length of the pitch to join in the celebrations as Ten Hag bounced in delight, his fists clenched in evident celebration.
United went into the game without a win or a goal in their previous four matches in all competitions, having lost three times during that run.