1. United’s defence still a suspect, Evans the major culprit: for the most part of this season, United’s defence has looked vulnerable and is the weakest part of the team. This was again reflected in the game against Villa, united were carved opened on a number of occasions, and the only goal conceded could have been avoided, if Evans had marked Benteke more tightly. Jonny Evans’s performance this season has been far from what’s expected and way below average. In the last game against Liverpool, he didn’t look too convincing and in this game, he continued his below par performance. With the current injury crisis rocking United and its defenders, he may still get some opportunity put in his best and convince the fans and coaching staff that he’s still needed and much needed at the club. With his age and years at the theatre of dreams, he’s expected to be a leader in the defence.

2. Gaal tinkering too much? With the scores levelled at 1 – 1 , and Falcao and RVP still on the field, everybody still had hope United could get one goal and win the game, but Van Gaal’s first substitution was a little bit bizarre, substituting RVP – who had not performed badly, and has a good record of scoring late goals, for Di Maria. While we all know that Di Maria could unlock the tight Villa defence, with his crosses and runs, removing a striker for a midfielder or winger may not have been the best decision. While trying to change things again, he substituted Valencia - who had been having a decent game and was helping the attack, though maybe not that effectively for Wilson, who came on, and didn’t have any impact on the game. We all respect Van Gaal’s tactical prowess, but in the game against Villa, there were tough decisions for LVG to make, and he could have done better.

3. Falcao can come better: he was one player United fan had always wanted to see start a game, and Van Gaal gave him and the fans what they wanted. it was a decent performance from the striker capped with a fine goal, it was the appropriate game for him to improve his fitness, as Villa were at their defensive best pushing and keeping United out of the box. The goal means a lot to Falcao and the fans, but one important message in the goal was promise, that Falcao could do more and come better if given more playing time and support. He has spoken of his desire to make his move to United a permanent one, and the goals are what would convince the management to make his move permanent, one only hope he gets a good run of games and he can bang in the goals as he has done in his previous clubs.

4. Vlaar proves he may be United missing spanner: with United defence been carved open on a number of times in the game, the villa defence marshalled by Ron Vlaar did a decent job keeping the United’s strike force silent for most of the game. For United fans and coaching staff, the match may also have served as a scouting match, watching a reported target rub shoulder against the United big boys. And to be fair and honest Vlaar made a more than decent show and presentation for himself. We all know the Dutch connection between LVG and the player, and how Van Gaal hold him in high regard, after he described him as Holland’s best central defender at the World cup. It is a connection that most United faithfuls are counting on to ease the move of one of most United’s need player to Old Trafford.

5. United not yet invincible: with six wins on a bounce, and the form of some United players, the game against Villa was one pundits and fans felt United should win with some ease, but that didn’t happen. It was a game United struggled in the final third and lacked the killer pass and instinct. It was a game that once again showed United’s vulnerability in defence, it was a game where United were not aggressive enough on the Field. With their form before the game, certain players and fans thought United could stage a late fight for the title their performance in the game may have revealed otherwise.

What else did you notice from the game against Aston Villa?
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