Fernandes fires Man United toward the Champions League

There were protests at the start but celebrations at the end as Manchester United edged toward a return to the Champions League on Sunday.

A 1-0 win against Aston Villa strengthened United’s hold on a top-four place in the Premier League, which was the primary target for manager Erik ten Hag in his first season in charge.

Bruno Fernandes scored a 39th minute winner when turning in the rebound after Emiliano Martinez had pushed away a shot from Marcus Rashford.

With third-place Newcastle beating Southampton 3-1, United remains two points behind in fourth, with a game in hand.

“You have to wait until it’s done, we have to keep going from game to game, but this is a brilliant week for us,” said Ten Hag, who has already ended the club’s six-year trophy drought — with the League Cup — and secured a place in the FA Cup final against Manchester City