A Bruno Fernandes strike helped Manchester United beat in-form Aston Villa 1-0 on Sunday to strengthen their bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Portugal international scored shortly before half-time to settle the nerves of fans at Old Trafford and lift United nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham.
The club are closing in on a Champions League berth for next season in Erik ten Haag’s first campaign in charge, but uncertainty is swirling off the field over ownership.
Friday was the third, and what is expected to be the last, deadline for interested parties to make offers to buy the club from the unpopular Glazer family.
The 1958 fan group led a march of hundreds of fans from central Manchester to Old Trafford on Sunday, chanting for the Glazers to cut their ties with the club, carrying a huge banner that read “Full sale only” Was.
Ten Haag made two changes following his team’s 2–2 draw against Tottenham in midweek, bringing on Tyrell Malassia for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcel Sabitzer for Antony.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery named an unchanged side after eight wins and two draws in 10 league games.