"When Ratcliffe bought in, the public impression given was of a billionaire signing up to taste the magic for himself. Saturday, and beating Manchester City, was an undoubted revival act where Michael Carrick's team played the football of yore. That will almost certainly be unsustainable in the medium term, since most opposition will not play City's high-line, high-wire act. But in engaging their supporters with determination and aggression, United jogged memories."
"Aston Villa were playing their sixth match since 27 December, and will face Fenerbahce and Newcastle in the next week. A thin squad is being stretched to its limits. The first-half loss of John McGinn, their crucial midfield leader, further lessened hopes of Villa making up ground on Arsenal. With Donyell Malen now at Roma, and scoring on his debut on Sunday, Tammy Abraham's expected return to the club he helped win promotion back to the Premier League in 2019 cannot happen soon enough."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended a commanding Manchester United victory that recreated an old Old Trafford intensity, with Michael Carrick's side displaying determination and aggressive, high-line football that energized supporters. The performance may be hard to sustain against teams that do not play a similar style, and questions remain about whether the same atmosphere could be replicated in any proposed new stadium. Aston Villa face severe fixture congestion and fatigue, losing John McGinn to injury and relying on a thin squad. Donyell Malen's move to Roma and financial limits under sporting director Roberto Olabe complicate Villa's transfer plans, while Tammy Abraham's return remains urgent amid reported Everton interest.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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