Unai Emery believes the Old Trafford atmosphere made a big difference in Man United's comeback win against his Aston Villa side on Boxing Day.
“The atmosphere pushed them. They have very good players," he said after the defeat. "Two weeks ago I was asked if we were contenders to the title and said no, and was thinking the same as I am now.
"Why? Because we are playing several top teams that are contenders more than we are. Of course we are being consistent and better than a lot of teams so far this season.
"Today we missed an opportunity to have that consistency against one of the top ten teams. This can happen. The reaction after the first goal conceded was good, we even then created a few very good chances, but that is football."
Villa rightly raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half, but a spirited second-half performance inspired by the home crowd saw United score three goals without reply.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker scored in the space of five minutes, while Alejandro Garnacho netted a brace and Rasmus Hojlund sealed the win with his first Premier League goal.
Villa remain eight points ahead of United after their superb start to the league season.
