The emergence of a 'nemesis' causing MU to suffer defeat

Morgan Rogers delivered a stunning performance with two goals, helping Aston Villa overcome Manchester United 2-1 at Villa Park and being named the best player of the match.

In the early hours of December 22 (Vietnam time), Manchester United visited Aston Villa’s Villa Park as part of the 17th round of the 2025/26 Premier League season and suffered a 1-2 defeat. This match showcased an outstanding display from Morgan Rogers, who deservedly received the Man of the Match honors.

Aston Villa started confidently and dominated from the opening minutes. After numerous missed chances, the home side finally broke the deadlock at 45+1 minutes. Morgan Rogers capitalized on space inside the box with a decisive strike to beat the MU goalkeeper.

Despite MU’s efforts to push forward and quickly equalize through Matheus Cunha following a defensive error by the hosts, Morgan Rogers struck again before the Red Devils could regain control. In the 58th minute, the English midfielder confidently maneuvered and finished precisely to complete his brace and seal a 2-1 win for Aston Villa.

Not only did Morgan Rogers score the two crucial goals, but he also made a significant impact technically. According to Sofascore stats, he earned the highest rating of 8.8 in the match. Rogers attempted 7 shots, 3 on target, scoring twice from an expected goals (xG) value of only 0.65—demonstrating exceptional finishing efficiency. Additionally, he touched the ball 32 times, moved extensively, and frequently disrupted MU’s defense with direct plays, even without flashy dribbling numbers.

This loss dropped Manchester United to 7th place on the league table, while Aston Villa solidified their position in the top 3, confirming their ambition to compete at the top. Notably, Rogers’ explosive showing against MU has made him a highly sought-after name in the transfer market.

It is known that Manchester United have long been monitoring this midfielder, while Manchester City also regard Rogers as a key target. Aston Villa is reportedly open to offers around £70 million for their star player who is currently in his prime.