Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Aston Villa was a game of firsts.

Erik ten Hag’s men scored a goal after seven hours, Rasmus Hojlund opened his Premier League account at the 15th time of asking and Alejandro Garnacho started on the right wing for the first time this season.

All of the above unfolded under the watchful eye of Sir Dave Brailsford, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s trusted lieutenant in attendance after the British billionaire agreed to take over a 25 per cent stake in the club for £1.3billion.

And United wasted no time to introduce Brailsford and INEOS to their bipolar nature.

Ten Hag’s men were booed off the pitch at half-time after conceding two goals within five minutes because of abject defending at set-pieces.

Erik ten Hag finally has a modicum of optimism to build upon after an impressive comeback win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Boxing Day

United trailed 2-0 at half-time, before Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund (right) scored to secure a crucial 3-2 win at Old Trafford. Now they have to build on it going into 2024

But just as United looked destined to head for a third defeat in four league games, they produced their best half of the season – granted, that is an admittedly very low bar – and roared back into the contest.

Garnacho scored twice as United pressed forward with a fervour seldom seen this season, before Hojlund capped the comeback with a smart finish to break his Premier League duck and relieve some of the pressure that had been building on Ten Hag.

The challenge for United is now to build on their second half display, starting with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday at tea time.

Nuno Espirito Santo‘s men will be full of confidence following their impressive 3-1 win at St. James’ Park on Boxing Day, but if United are to turn the corner they must find a modicum of consistency.

Too often this season good performances have been followed by abject outings, with the 2-0 debacle at West Ham coming six days after a creditable draw at Anfield; one recent example.

United are six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham – who face Brighton on Thursday night – but have played a game more than Spurs and can’t afford to lose any more ground.

Below, Mail Sport looks at the positives United must build on ahead of their trip to the City Ground and into the New Year…

Hojlund has found his scoring touch

It’s taken him 15 matches, but at long last Hojlund has his first Premier League goal for Manchester United after firing in the winner against Villa.

The Dane’s finish on Boxing Day was crucial as it capped a memorable comeback and it also offered a timely reminder of his qualities.

As Paul Scholes pointed out to Premier League Productions, Hojlund’s effort was the kind of instinctive strike only natural finishers can produce.

The 20-year-old scored five goals in six Champions League appearances since arriving at Old Trafford, but knows he must deliver regularly in the Premier League if he is to justify his £72million price tag.

‘It has been a while [waiting for a first league goal] but yes I am very happy,’ Hojlund told Amazon Prime Video after his heroics against Villa.

Hojlund broke his Premier League duck as he scored the winning goal against Aston Villa

‘I’m the happiest man alive right now. It’s one of the best days of my life. It’s been a while in the Premier League now so I’m happy to get the first one and hopefully I can build on that and keep going.’

While Hojlund missed gilt-edged chances to open his Premier League account before, he’s far from being solely responsible for his goal drought.

The Dane has an xG per 90 minutes of 0.27, lower than Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and even Scott McTominay.

‘I pointed out that you scored for Denmark a lot, you scored in the Champions League, you have demonstrated the ability, so you can do it,’ Ten Hag said.

‘Believe in it and it will come. I am sure now the first goal is in, he will get more.’

It is no coincidence he finally found the back of the net as his team produced arguably their best half of football in the Premier League this season.

If Hojlund is to keep scoring, United must keep creating chances.

Alejandro Garnacho looks bright on the right

The right wing poses a difficult conundrum for Ten Hag: Antony has never come remotely close to justify his £82m fee and Jadon Sancho is no longer an option following his public spat with the Dutchman.

Rashford has often been ineffective in the role and prefers to operate on the left, while Mason Mount is out injured and has been mostly played in midfield when he’s been fit this season.

And bar two cameo appearances as a substitute against Bayern Munich and Arsenal in September, Garnacho had always played on the left this season up until Boxing Day.

Ten Hag, however, deployed the Argentine on the right against Aston Villa and was immediately rewarded.

Garnacho scored twice – and saw another goal ruled out by VAR for offside –  and was a constant thorn in Villa’s side in the second half.

The Argentine offers far more than Antony in terms of end product and his versatility allows Rashford to play in his preferred position.

Perhaps more out of necessity than out of choice, Ten Hag may have stumbled upon his best front three combination.

Alejandro Garnacho shone after being deployed on the right wing against Aston Villa

Positive signs for Marcus Rashford

Rashford returned to the starting XI against Aston Villa after being benched in each of United’s four games in December.

While Hojlund and Garnacho deservedly grabbed the headlines, there were encouraging signs from the England international.

Rashford set up United’s first goal and could have had a second assist to his name had Garnacho’s first strike not been ruled – correctly – out for offside.

Too often this season Rashford seemed to allow games to simply pass him by, but he was a lot more involved against Villa as he made 19 passes, won three of his four tackles and completed as many dribbles.

‘Marcus was pretty dangerous today,’ Bruno Fernandes said.

‘I think for the first two goals he was involved and even the one that was offside. He was involved in everything.’

More of the same is required from Rashford, who has scored just twice in 23 appearances in all competitions this season, but Boxing Day was a step in the right direction.

Marcus Rashford showed glimpses of returning to form on Boxing Day in an impressive display

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, with a show every Monday and Thursday this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

But despite the thrilling comeback against Villa, some key problems remain…

Defensive vulnerability

While United finally ended their goal drought on Boxing Day, their defensive issues remain alarming.

Both Aston Villa goals came as a result of egregious lapses in concentration, just as it was the case three days earlier against West Ham.

If United are to turn the corner, the defensive solidity they showed at Anfield earlier this month must become the norm rather than the exception.

Andre Onana will miss up to a month of Premier League action after being called up by Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations next month

Ten Hag has started 19 different back four combinations so far this season, largely due to injury

Injuries

Injuries aren’t the sole reason behind United’s dismal first half of the season, but they are a major contributing factor.

The win over Aston Villa was the 25th consecutive game Ten Hag fielded an XI that had never started together before and the 19th different back four combination this season.

Even without injuries, Ten Hag will be without Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat next month, with the duo set to join Cameroon and Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations respectively.

The revolving door must stop if United are to find some much-needed continuity.