Manchester United forced themselves back into the Champions League conversation with a four-game winning streak in the Premier League, which included a dramatic late winner at fourth-placed Aston Villa earlier this month.
United cut the gap to that fourth spot to just five points before being dealt a huge blow this weekend as Fulham left Old Trafford with all three points.
At Villa Park, the gap was extended to eight points again when Aston Villa dispatched Nottingham Forest and speaking after the game, midfielder Douglas Luiz commented on United’s loss.
“We’re really happy,” Luiz told club media, according to The Metro. “It’s a big result for us, it’s great. The team could control the game after scoring the four goals and you need to keep going.
“It’s a good result for us, Manchester United lost, it’s good for us too. We need to keep going.
“I scored two goals, I’m really happy. I was feeling this before the game, I said to my girlfriend ‘Today, I score, 100 per cent’ and I come to the pitch and score twice. I’m really happy for the performance of the team.”
Luiz scored Villa’s only goal in their defeat to the Reds two weeks ago and the Brazil international caused quite a stir with his celebration.
United had the last laugh that day but Villa are in pole position to finish in that fourth spot and as things stand, it will be difficult for United to make that ground up if you look at the fixture list.
More must-reads: