Manchester United and Aston Villa shared a dull draw to keep the pressure on visiting manager Erik ten Hag as his side made their worst start to a Premier League season.
A soporific Sunday outing perhaps reflected the pair’s midweek exertions, with neither able to move through the gears or create consistent scoring chances. Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar with a fine second half free kick and Jaden Philogene had a late glimpse for Aston Villa, but there was otherwise little to entertain the crowd.
It leavecs Manchester United down in 14th heading into the international break with just two wins from their first seven games, their worst start to a season since the English top flight’s revamp. There were a few encouraging signs for Ten Hag, particularly defensively where Jonny Evans excelled, but the club’s hierarchy have plenty to mull. Jim Ratcliffe, Dave Brailsford, Dan Ashworth and the rest watched on at Villa Park and will surely consider a change of manager during the international break.
Re-live all the action from Villa Park in our live blog below:
Erik ten Hag confident he retains ownership’s backing
“We always speak. We speak every week,” Ten Hag says to Sky Sports when asked if he will speak to the club’s hierarchy post-match. “We are all on board, together, on one page. We know what we are working to, it is a long-term project. We have to keep improving.
“We proved in two very tough away games that this is a team. We showed our togetherness, our spirit, but also the belief and faith we have.”
Jonny Evans speaks to Sky Sports after Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa
“It wasn’t perfect. We didn’t pass the ball as well as we would have liked, but we got a point against a good side away from home. We wanted to be a bit more defensive-minded and make sure we didn’t concede to give ourselves a chance. We were looking for that one moment of a bit of quality, which we nearly got at the end. But fair play to Villa, they are a good team and played well today.
“They are good players, so you are never comfortable. Ollie Watkins is aggresive so you’ve got to be on your toes. We had to make things tight today, and we did that well. I still feel like I play a game I always have, and I still feel like I’ve got a bit of speed in my legs.
“I enjoy every moment I have on the pitch now. I have that buzz for every game, and I try to make the most of it. It is a privilege to play for this club, I’ve had a long affiliation with it. With the pressures that come with it, it’s a privilege too - the support the fans have given the team is great to see. It was great for [Erik ten Hag] to see that - the other night, you could see the emotion of letting that game slip away. You could see that everyone was running themselves into the ground, so I’m pleased for him that we could get that result today.”
FT: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United
A dull, soporific Sunday outing, with neither side ever looking particularly likely to break the deadlock. Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League season, taking just eight points from their first seven games - though there were improvements in their defensive discipline to give Erik ten Hag encouragement today.
Will it be enough to preserve his place on the Old Trafford touchline through the international break? These men have plenty to mull.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 + 6 minutes
Jhon Duran gives away a free kick inside the Manchester United half, which Andre Onana launches long. Manchester United can’t make much of it as we tick beyond the allotted extra time.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 + 4 minutes
Now Manchester United waste an opportunity! Alejandro Garnacho is sprung as Aston Villa are caught with too many men ahead of the ball, but he can’t craft a pass beyond the final defender to Bruno Fernandes.
Ross Barkley is booked for a foul earlier in the movement.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 + 3 minutes
What a chance! Superb football from Aston Villa, showing fluency in possession really for the first time, and Matthijs de Ligt loses his footing to allow the ball to run across to Jaden Philogene. He seems certain to score but strikes his shot against the back of a turning Diogo Dalot, and away it flies for a corner.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 + 2 minutes
Sarcastic cheers as Rob Jones returns to the pitch. Aston Villa do have that rather dangerous free kick to take, after the delay...but Bruno Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt head away.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 minutes
Even the batteries in the referee’s communications system are lacking in energy. Rob Jones wanders over to the touchline to get his technology seen to, a chap earnestly sprinting around to provide him with a spare. He could probably call the game at this stage, one would suggest somewhat uncharitably.
Six minutes are indicated up on the board, though we will play past that.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 86 minutes
A cross harmlessly carries into the arms of Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper boots long, with Victor Lindelof first bundling Jhon Duran in teh back and then felling Morgan Rogers after Aston Villa take the free kick quickly. He’s shown a yellow card.
