Match Review
Manchester United 3 v 1 Aston Villa, Old Trafford, 15.00 Saturday 13th January 2007.
Park (11), Carrick (13), Ronaldo (35) - Agbonlahor (52). Attendance: 76,073.

Three games, 270 minutes, three victories, eight goals and, finally, United wont have to play Aston Villa until next season!

The Reds maintained their push for the title in emphatic style as Aston Villa were beaten once again at Old Trafford with goals from Ji Sung Park and MOTM Michael Carrick. The former Spurs man opened his account killed off any chance of a Villa challenge and with Ronaldo patting the soil down on the Brummies' grave for the third United coasted it.

Villa worked hard at keeping the Reds out for the opening five minutes as Henrik Larsson's header from Neville's cross forced a spectacular save from returning keeper Sorenson. The Swedish striker may have not scored but was a constant thorn in the side of Villa's defence.

United took the lead after another Neville cross was poorly dealt with by Villa, handing two bites of the cherry to Ji Sung Park who didn't miss. Only a few minutes later and Michael Carrick broke up some rare Villa possession, swapped passes with Neville and Park before belting a powerful shot past Sorensen for United's second.

Cut throat defending would haunt Villa as Carrick turned provider shortly before the break. United's poor corner landed at the feet of McCann, only for Park to pickpocket the former England man, pass to Carrick, who chipped in the perfect cross for Ronaldo at the far post. The Portuguese international scored his 13th goal of a wonderful campaign with a header back across the 'keeper.

Paul Scholes would go close as a late run into the box resulted in a header straight at Sorenson. If the Ginger Ninja had headed anywhere else he would have put United four goals up.

Villa changed their formation for the second half and made life difficult for United. Milan Baros was more influential as the half wore on and he gave Nemanja Vidic trouble after giving the Serb the slip. The Czech almost ran the ball out of play before slotting a ball across United's penalty box where Agbonlahor tapped in from close range.

United retained possession however and caused Villa's defence to keep workomg. Saha, who replaced Park, almost scored a fourth as Cahill thwarted the French striker on the line after Neville's cross.

United went close again with Sorensen saving from Larsson and Wayne Rooney hit the bar with a bending effort from distance. Ronaldo also went close but the Reds, although dominant, failed to score in the second half.

Rant Ratings
van der Sar (7); Neville (7), Ferdinand (7), Vidic (6), Evra (8); Park (8), Carrick (9), Scholes (8), Ronaldo (7); Rooney (7), Larsson (7).
Subs: Saha (6) for Park (65 mins), Solskjaer (6) for Larsson (80 mins), O'Shea (5) for Carrick (80 mins).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Giggs.

United's Man of the Match
Michael Carrick's goal came as a result of HIS tackle. HIS pass to Ji Sung Park provided the Korean the opportunity to return the ball for an assist and he also crossed excellently for Ronaldo to head home. A great game all round for SAF's newest signing.

Rant's Reaction
Three nil up at half time and in cruise control. The second half of the season sees some difficult away games but the Reds are playing the best football in the league and are six points clear of the Russian Circus. Keep it up!!!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
Another one in the bag for the United Rant prediction machine. We said 3-1. United Rant 6 v 27 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Ji Sung Park's 2nd Premiership goal of his United career and 3rd goal overall for the club
Michael Carrick's 1st goal of his United career
Cristiano Ronaldo's 13th Premiership goal of his United career and 40th goal overall

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Sunday 21st January 2006 away to Arsenal in the Premiership with a 16.00 kick off.