Manchester United coasted to a comfortable 4-0 win over a benign, toothless Aston Villa. I had thought Villa would be so bad and they have proved me right. Away from Villa Park, they are a weak side and were very much off-colour today.

The 1st major incident of the game was the penalty which Ashley Young got in the 7th minute. It was a dive. I make no bones about it. He needs to eradicate this despicable habit from his system or else the club`s image will be sullied.

Wayne Rooney comfortably dispatched the penalty. United continued to create chances and should have had a 2-0 lead long before the 43rd minute when Danny Welbeck snuck in at the near post to prod the ball in after the Villa defence failed to clear Patrice Evra’s low cross. 

It was much the same after the break. United continued to press forward looking for more goals. If it wasn’t for the heroics of Shay Given in the Villa goal, United could’ve won by 6-0 or more!

Nani came on for the lively Young on the hour mark. He had a good half an hour cameo which he capped off with a goal in injury time. Antonio Valencia assisted Rooney for his 2nd of the afternoon in the 73rd minute.

It was all so simple. Immediately, he was withdrawn and Dimitar Berbatov (the poor chap!) came on for a 20 min spell much to the delight of the United fans..

He never looked sad. He enjoyed himself and could have got his name on the score sheet if it weren’t for a good block on his shot by Eric Lichaj towards the end of the game.

The obvious difference from the Wigan debacle? Paul Scholes` return. United play so much better when he is in the side

I fervently hope that he stays on for a year more but more importantly, we need to find someone good who can replace him rather quickly! With Nani`s return, we are looking strong at this point and barring a major (unthinkable) collapse, title no 20 should be in the bag.

By Yashasvee Prasad