Manchester United have made it two wins from two games at the start of the Premier League season with a hard-fought victory away to Aston Villa.
Adnan Januzaj, recalled by Louis van Gaal after struggling to secure first-team action last term, scored the only goal for the Red Devils, who move to the top of the table for the time being at least.
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Villa had looked to make a bright start against Louis van Gaal's side, but despite the best efforts of Ashley Westwood to unlock the United defence, the visitors stood firm in the opening minutes.
Juan Mata almost provided the away side with the first clear chance of the game as his diagonal ball drifted into the path of Memphis Depay. However, the Dutch international couldn't keep his footing and let the hosts off the hook.
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Soon after, United nearly caused headaches for the Villa backline as a Depay free kick reached Morgan Schneiderlin unmarked, only for the French midfielder to meekly head the cross wide.
The North-West giants took the lead on 29 minutes as Januzaj latched on to Mata's pass and, after wrong-footing Micah Richards, the Belgian attacker coolly struck his shot across Brad Guzan, into the far corner of the net.
Villa appealed for a penalty on the stroke of half time as Matteo Darmian grappled with Richards, but Mike Dean waved away protests from the home team.
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The home side's best chance of an equaliser came early in the second period as Gabriel Agbonlahor was afforded a free header in the United box, but Sergio Romero was able to tip his close-range effort away.
Depay may feel that he should have scored United's second late on as he was left with only Guzan to beat, but dragged his shot wide as the Red Devils were forced to settle for a 1-0 victory.
Chris O'Keefe
