UNITED DO THE BIZ ...PEP PUTS DOWN THE FIZZ

Record-breaker Greenwood inspires yet another comeback win for United... just as City fans were getting out the bubbly

THEY made Pep Guardiola put the champagne back in the fridge.

Manchester United are being driven by sheer pride and, of course, Mason Greenwood.

Trailing at half time, they were in serious danger of handing over the title to champions-elect Manchester City.

But the second half turnaround was nothing short of remarkable and 19-year-old Greenwood wrote his name into the United record books with a precious piece of history which might also make him a late shout for the Euros.

Greenwood’s second-half strike made it 16 goals for United in the Premier League, the most by any teenager for the club, overtaking Wayne Rooney’s tally of 15.

Incredibly, it was United’s 10th win from a losing position this season. The comeback kings have now not lost at Villa Park in 22 league visits, since the opening day of the 1995/96 season, when Alan Hansen infamously remarked: “You can’t win anything with kids”.

Back then, United went on to win the title, which has long since been out of their grasp this year. But they are making one hell of a last stand to make City boss Guardiola wait to be crowned champions.

And, if they win all of their remaining games, they can finish with 82 points.

That would be their highest tally since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Of course, it is not enough for United and their ambition to be top dogs again but if they can address a few obvious failings in the squad then they will surely be a lot closer next season.

Especially if they can build around the likes of Greenwood, strengthen in some key areas and show more consistency and defensive solidity to match the attacking flair.

This was the first of United’s three games in five days and, even though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may rest players against Leicester tomorrow night, they were not ready to surrender against Aston Villa.

United were not at their best in the first half and went behind after 24 minutes. It was a catalogue of errors as Scott Mctominay and Fred dithered and Victor Lindelof allowed himself to be bullied by Bertrand Traore, who then fired an unstoppable cross-shot into the top corner.

But United came out a different team for the second half.

Paul Pogba used his strength to hold off Douglas Luiz, who had a nibble, then a second, as he pushed the United midfielder and conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge.

Bruno Fernandes sent Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way to score his 27th goal in all competitions this season – and his 13th penalty – after 52 minutes.

Four minutes later, the game was turned on its head. Aaron Wan-bissaka played the ball into Greenwood’s feet, the United forward fooled Villa defender Tyrone Mings with a sublime turn and then arrowed a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.

Greenwood has been out of the England picture at senior level since breaking coronavirus rules and being sent home from Iceland in disgrace – but now, with the Under21s out of the European Championship, the red-hot United striker could be in line for a recall.

United got a third after 87 minutes, Marcus Rashford’s teasing cross from the right finding Edinson Cavani racing in for the United striker to glance home.

It got even worse for Villa in the last minute. Ollie Watkins, who had been booked in the first half, took a tumble under Dean Henderson’s challenge and referee Chris Kavanagh sent him off with a second booking for simulation. It seemed incredibly harsh.