After a turbulent week, a bit of calm returns. Manchester United’s winless streak now stretches to five games, with just two victories in seven. They haven’t scored in four of their last five league matches and sit 14th in the table, trailing Bournemouth in their poorest Premier League start yet.
Despite the circumstances, this was a gritty and occasionally solid display at a familiar ground. The spirited away fans in the Trinity Road Stand played a big role, earning appreciative applause from the players at the final whistle.
United have suffered only one loss in their last 26 league games at Villa Park, and even a stronger Aston Villa, riding high after toppling Bayern Munich, seem to stumble when facing United on their home turf.
This had the potential for a dramatic afternoon, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe trading the sunny beaches of Barcelona for the rainy directors’ box in Aston. Ratcliffe’s unwillingness to publicly support Erik ten Hag is likely to irritate the Dutchman, especially after his silence during the final months of last season.
Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox sat about two dozen rows behind the United dugout, watching intently like vultures. They were positioned in the Sir Doug Ellis Stand, where ‘Deadly’ Doug rarely hesitated to criticize a struggling Villa manager’s situation.
This was as effortless as a Sunday morning, even in the afternoon. The arrival of Jhon Duran, a substitute who deserved his own entrance music, failed to make United falter.
They won’t be satisfied with just a point. “Garna! F*g hell,” shouted first-team coach Darren Fletcher in the 78th minute after the Argentine lost possession. The United fans urged Andre Onana to speed up the restart when he seemed willing to settle for a draw. The second round of “Attack, attack, attack” was even louder in the 86th minute. This performance didn’t suggest that United is on the verge of a breakthrough.
United chose to have a pre-match huddle, a tactic they often use when they’re in disarray, as recent history suggests. They had to regroup on the other side of the field after Bruno Fernandes pushed Villa to attack the Holte End during the first half.
Ten Hag’s body language in Porto was resigned, but he appeared more assertive against Villa. He vigorously protested to the fourth official about a clear booking for Christian Eriksen and cheered enthusiastically for Marcus Rashford. Ruud van Nistelrooy was frequently seen standing in the technical area.
United’s starters received extra encouragement from their lively substitutes, who added a touch of cheerleading. There were seven signings by Ten Hag on the bench compared to five in the starting lineup. The total value of the Dutchman’s substitutes was £330 million.
Rashford was more expressive than usual, bringing an issue to Ten Hag’s attention and then notifying the fourth official. The strange circumstances surrounding Rashford’s substitution in Porto lingered as he was taken off again shortly after receiving a cardable foul while already booked. Fortunately, the card-happy referee, Robert Jones, showed some leniency.
To everyone’s astonishment, Rashford’s substitute Antony briefly transformed into a right winger deserving of United, showcasing his speed and delivering a challenging curling shot. The ball slipped between Emiliano Martinez’s gloves.
The break for Ezri Konsa’s injury served as both a pause and a tactical timeout, prompting Ten Hag to take action by advising Rasmus Hojlund and Diogo Dalot. Fernandes and Garnacho had a discussion, while Hojlund and Eriksen exchanged tips. Later, Ten Hag was seen engaging in a heated debate with Van Nistelrooy.
United fans paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anderson, and Jonny Evans. The latter received songs at least three times in the first half, earning nods of approval from the United analysts and applause from his former teammate Fletcher.
Lisandro Martinez began warming up after 30 minutes when Evans momentarily dealt with an impact injury. The 36-year-old’s next move was to interrupt a Villa attack and drive into their third. Evans clearly relishes facing the claret and blue, recalling his time at Burnley and his Boxing Day match against Villa last year. United fans chanted his name again at the end of the match, followed by Van Nistelrooy’s.
Harry Maguire, a recalled defender, had to be substituted at halftime. The first half was so uneventful that a United staff member left their seat without even noticing Maguire’s enforced exit.
De Ligt was removing his tracksuit before halftime, joined by Victor Lindelof for his first appearance in 64 days, while Noussair Mazraoui’s run at right back ended prematurely. Fernandes, criticized by Villa fans for a dubious penalty during the pandemic, faced playful rodent comparisons, but United supporters sang his name in solidarity. He nearly scored his eighth goal against Villa by hitting the crossbar. In added time, Diogo Dalot’s brave block of Jaden Philogene spared United from further chaos—for now.
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