Jonny Evans stars as Manchester United grind out a draw.
Fernandes’ freekick hitting the woodwork was Manchester United’s best chance of the match.
Rashford escapes a second yellow card thus red and is substituted.
Match Report
Manchester United worked hard to keep Aston Villa at bay to win a point. Erik ten Hag and his men were under immense pressure after their poor performances against Spurs and Porto. A draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park today would ease the pressure on the manager. Today’s match was being watched by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Man Utd’s higher management.
Ten Hag dropped Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans and an improved showing followed. Unfortunately, Maguire had to go off with a leg injury at half-time but the 36-year-old Evans continued to impress through the match. He was United’s MVP, as Evans won 11 out of 12 duels and five of his aerials.
For Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers had the best chance to score in the first half. Youri Tielemans also forced a save from Andre Onana after halftime. But it was United who got closest to scoring when Bruno Fernandes’ freekick found the woodwork. Rashford and Garnacho also had their chances, but as has been the case so far this season, United couldn’t convert.
There was a moment of controversy when Marcus Rashford avoided a second yellow card for tripping Leon Bailey in the second half of the game. He was then protected via substitution by the manager. Manchester United and Aston Villa worked hard to find the winning goal in the second half. Villa’s best chance to score came during stoppage time when Jaden Philogene hard strike was blocked by Dalot. Aston Villa were showing signs of fatigue following their famous Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and struggled to break Manchester United down.
The draw extended United’s winless run to five games in all competitions and ensured they have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season. The previous worst start for United in the premier league came under Erik ten Hag as well (2023/24 season). Currently, United have got only eight points from seven games. Today’s draw should hopefully earn Ten Hag a reprieve going into the international break.
Ten Hag’s side remain in 14th place in the Premier League, while Villa fall three points behind third-placed Arsenal in fifth place. Chelsea rising to 4th position after their draw today.
