Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa: Fernandes hits winner for Man Utd against Villa

It is difficult to understate Fernandes’ importance to United.

The Portuguese playmaker’s arrival from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 helped rescue a campaign that was going nowhere and ensured United finished third.

Since then, he has carried so much of his side’s attacking threat, remaining consistent throughout a club career that now extends to 178 games.

Even in this game, he annoyed Villa fans – and some of his own – by going to ground too easily or complaining for non-existent fouls. However, his willingness to play through pain is admirable.

Anyone who saw him limping away from a first-half collision in the FA Cup semi-final with Brighton was surprised he remained on the pitch into extra-time.

That he should start two Premier League games in the week after that says much for the 28-year-old’s resolve.

Fernandes’ 11th goal of the season underlined his desire.

He anticipated the ball could run loose as soon as Rashford went for goal – and when Martinez pushed it straight to the area Fernandes was running into, he was quicker to react than Alex Moreno and finished from an acute angle.

“He’s so tough,” United boss Erik ten Hag said. “A couple of weeks ago there were questions about his captaincy.

“It’s crazy because he’s such a big leader – by example. He gives so much energy to the team besides his smartness.

“But also his determination, his passion and his resilience, so I think we as a team are so happy.

“We need such players if you want to win games, if you want to win trophies.”

The defeat is a blow to Villa’s European aspirations, although given their final three opponents of the campaign are Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton they remain very much in charge of their own destiny.

However, to even be talking in those terms is testament to the impact Unai Emery has had since his arrival at the club in November.

This was one of those rare days in recent times when Emery’s side failed to generate pressure around their opponents’ box or build up any decent momentum.

One second-half effort from Jacob Ramsey was on target when it was blocked by Victor Lindelof, although whether it would have tested David de Gea is another matter.

John McGinn had a speculative effort from the edge of the area shortly afterwards which rolled harmlessly wide.

The visitors had a couple of scrambles around the home box in the latter stages without threatening to breach De Gea’s defences, although after eight wins and two draws they can be excused one off-day.