PA Images/Alamy Images

Erik ten Hag was the happiest man in in the Midlands last night when Scott McTominay sealed a vital three points for Manchester United at Villa Park.

The Reds overturned Aston Villa to close their gap to the fifth-placed side to just five points, as well as putting themselves six points adrift of the top four.

Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring in the first half before Douglas Luiz found a leveller in the 67th minute. Ten Hag then called upon his trusty Scot to do what he’s done so prolifically this season – finding a goal when the side desperately needs one.

McTominay’s 86th-minute header made him United’s top goalscorer in the league, and he has now scored the most of any other substitute across the top division.

Take a look at the manager’s elated reaction from the touchline:

Sunday’s win marked a third straight Premier League win and a fourth successive win in all competitions, giving United some much-needed momentum to build from across the second half of the term.

Footage courtesy of Manchester United.

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