X reacts as Scott McTominay steals victory for Man Utd against Aston Villa

How long can Scott McTominay remain Manchester United's 'unlikely' hero?

The divisive midfielder emerged from the bench to head in an 86th-minute winner against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, reigniting United's ambitions of Champions League qualification.

McTominay's seventh league goal of the season — a figure unrivalled among United's squad — closed the gap to fifth-placed Villa to just five points with 14 games of the campaign remaining. Tottenham Hotspur are only one point better off but a spot inside the top five may be enough to qualify for Europe's premier club competition this season.

United's bright start offered little evidence that another late show would be required.

After ending a 1,026-minute wait to score his first Premier League goal in the reverse fixture against Villa at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund described himself as «the happiest man alive right now».

When he cleverly tucked in Harry Maguire's knockdown from a first-half corner, Hojlund trotted across to the corner flag with a sense of assured confidence. With a goal in each of his five previous appearances, Hojlund's finishing was no longer fallible but inevitable.

Rasmus Hojlund has well and truly arrived.

At this point, I’m convinced my Hojlund might win the golden boot pic.twitter.com/XbVOmD1JEL

YOU MUST APOLOGIZE, HOJLUND IS THE GOATTT

During an entertaining first half stuffed with chances, most fans were taken by Casemiro's reaction to getting booked. The Brazilian was aghast at the sight of a yellow card in Robert Jones' raised hand, windmilling his arms and pirouetting in disgust.

Tremendous physical comedy from Casemiro there trying to plead his way out of getting a yellow, but also make sure it doesn't count as dissent so he gets a booking