Marcus Rashford is relishing “a massive month” with England after celebrating his World Cup call-up with a goal.
Rashford scored United’s second in their rousing comeback win over Aston Villa hours after Gareth Southgate named him in his squad for Qatar.
“It was just this morning I found out,” he said. “If you’re performing at United, then England will be round the corner. It will be a massive month for us, I’m looking forward to that. My aim is to enjoy my football and at the moment I am. If I’m scoring goals and winning, then I’m happy.”
Erik ten Hag was delighted to see Rashford win back his England place after he was dropped by Southgate last season.
“I think it’s really important and when he started the season, he wasn’t in,” said the United boss.
“We have a lot of players nominated in squads for the World Cup, that’s good for Manchester United and I’m happy for them.”
Sequels often disappoint and the first half of the sides’ second meeting in four days lacked the intensity and entertainment of Sunday’s clash.
The tie exploded into action when Villa scored in the 48th minute and United equalised 90 seconds later.
Jacob Ramsey played Ollie Watkins in and the Villa striker, who failed to make Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, produced an excellent finish past United debutant Martin Dubravka.
United levelled 19 seconds after the restart when Diogo Dalot sent Bruno Fernandes away down the right and he centred for Anthony Martial to slot home on only his second start under Ten Hag.
Villa retook the lead on 61 minutes when Ashley Young swung over a cross to the back post and Leon Bailey, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, headed the ball back across for Dalot to divert it into his own net.
Now we had an proper cup tie and United equalised again six minutes later with a goal from Rashford. Young tackled Christian Eriksen and the ball broke for Rashford to evade Tyrone Mings and Calum Chambers and fire home.
It was all United and Robin Olsen saved from Fernandes and Harry Maguire before the Villa keeper blundered to allow the home side to take the lead 12 minutes from time.
Olsen kicked the ball straight to Alejandro Garnacho, who fed Fernandes and his shot was deflected home off Mings before Scott McTominay netted their fourth in the first minute of stoppage time.
United’s win atoned for their disappointing loss at Villa Park on Sunday to set up a home tie with Burnley in the fourth round and Unai Emery felt his side did well until the last 15 minutes.
“I’m happy with our performance for 75 minutes,” said the Villa boss. “They had 15 minutes at the end better than us and our mentality went down.”
