Manchester United kept alive their best chance of breaking a five-year trophy drought with this victory. Yet their display offered the latest evidence that Ralf Rangnick is still to prove the mid-season Mr Fixit he was hired to be.
Aston Villa will ponder how they did not enjoy a rout. Steven Gerrard’s men attacked United at will from the first minute to the last. Somehow the hosts hung on and, while they remain in the Champions League, Rangnick’s brightest hope of ensuring the club do not match their longest period without silverware for 40 years remains a 13th FA Cup triumph.
