Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester United - Five talking points

Welbeck grabs his opportunity with both hands

With Robin van Persie out until the New Year, Welbeck was given the opportunity to lead the line, with Rooney playing off him. And the Englishman took the opportunity with both hands as he grabbed a brace and finished the game as United’s standout player. The forward was full of running throughout the game and showed just what he is capable of when he plays in his natural position and not out wide on the left or right.

Whilst Welbeck was his usual industrial self for most of the game, what stood in this performance was his finishing, which is the one quality that has really stopped him from fulfilling his potential. His finishing was first class and he scored two goals from his three shots on target. His positioning for both his goals was amazing and some of his link-up play with Rooney and Valencia was a joy to watch. With the other two strikers out injured, the next month will be crucial for Welbeck, and he started it off with a bang.