Bruno Fernandes hits key landmark as Man United tighten grip on Champions League spot with 3-1 win over Aston Villa – and make Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s end-of-season decision on Michael Carrick even harder, writes CHRIS WHEELER

At least Ruben Amorim might have been right about one thing: the good days are coming to Manchester United. He just isn’t around to see it.

Victory over Aston Villa in the battle between third and fourth at Old Trafford opened up some daylight between United and the clubs competing with them for Champions League qualification. With five expected to make the cut, it’s theirs to lose now.

If they do it, can Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his cohorts really deny Michael Carrick the job on a permanent basis?

Ratcliffe was non-committal when tackled on the subject at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday. But if Carrick can deliver a podium finish by keeping his team in third, he will have given United’s minority owner 100million reasons to let him carry on.

United were sixth when Amorim left the building in January. Carrick’s run of seven wins from nine games has thrust them firmly into the Champions League mix ever since.

This latest victory came against Unai Emery, another of the managers being linked with the United job. Beforehand, Jamie Carragher was championing the Spaniard. Afterwards, Wayne Rooney said it should 100 per cent go to Carrick.

It brought a wry smile from United’s head coach. ‘There’s not a lot of noise is there?’ he said with a smile, happy as ever to let his team – and captain Bruno Fernandes, in particular – write the headlines.

After a rather turgid first half here, 11 days on from Carrick’s only defeat at Newcastle, Ratcliffe’s reticence seemed justified. United were slow and stodgy, their relative lack of activity seemingly a hinderance rather than a help.

But then Casemiro broke the deadlock and Brazilian compatriot Matheus Cunha turned it into a samba party when he cancelled out Ross Barkley’s equaliser to restore United’s lead.

Both goals were set up by Fernandes as he joined Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney in an elite 100-club of goals and assists for the club. His total of 16 assists in the Premier League this season broke David Beckham’s record for United and is only four short of the overall best of 20 held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. 

As Carrick acknowledged, there is only so much more you can say about United’s irrepressible captain. Casemiro, Cunha and Harry Maguire were the best of the rest, but there was no shortage of contenders.

What Fernandes’ latest exploits have done to Villa’s prospects remains to be seen. Their Champions League dream died in this fixture on the final day of last season, and a sixth straight defeat at Old Trafford was another damaging setback.

After that game, Amorim clutched a microphone in the centre-circle at Old Trafford and promised fans that ‘after this disaster season, the good days are coming’. He didn’t hang around long enough to find out, but Carrick is making good on that promise.

It didn’t always feel that way during a first half in which United sent over enough decent crosses from the flanks but lacked the physical presence in front of goal after Carrick left Sesko on the bench for 75 minutes and played Bryan Mbeumo through the middle with Amad Diallo returning on the right.

The only attempt on target from either side arrived in the 22nd minute when Maguire guided Fernandes’ corner back across goal and Diallo forced Emi Martinez into a one-handed save, although Diogo Dalot should have done better than blast over after latching into another Fernandes pass.

United emerged with greater intensity after the interval and were ahead within eight minutes after Martinez turned away Mbeumo’s effort for a corner.

Fernandes delivered from the right and Casemiro rose between Ollie Watkins and Lucas Digne to guide a fantastic header beyond Martinez and in off the far post.

It was the Brazilian’s sixth from a set-piece this season, the most in the Premier League, and a player who is into the final three months of his Old Trafford career was in no hurry to cut short his celebrations in front of the Stretford End.

‘One more year, Casemiro’ they sang as the teams walked off at the end, but United have been looking to shift his £375,000-a-week salary off the books for some time.

‘The fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier. Everyone understands the situation,’ said Carrick.

The celebrations were cut short in the 64th minute after United had several chances to clear the danger from a corner, and the ball reached Barkley who curled it first-time into the far corner.

There was a VAR check to see whether Amadou Onana’s presence in an offside position in front of Senne Lammens had impeded the United keeper, but Jarred Gillett agreed with referee Anthony Taylor that he had clear sight of the ball.

Back came United to lead in the 71st minute as Fernandes brought up his century. He spotted Cunha’s run and threaded a brilliant first-time pass which took out three defenders. The Brazilian sped away from Ezri Konsa, and there was never any doubt he was going to beat Martinez one-on-one.

United clinched victory in the 81st minute Lamare Bogarde was beaten by Cunha and then deflected the ball from Konsa’s block to Sesko who buried his shot from inside the box.

It brought one of those rare displays of emotion from Carrick as he punched the air. Bournemouth and Andoni Iraola – another name on the long list of United contenders – are next up on the South Coast on Friday.

Another win would push United, and Carrick, even closer to their reward.