Ralf Rangnick had been in charge of Manchester United for almost two months when they played Aston Villa in January. United had failed to make any progress under Rangnick, but they suddenly looked like a rejuvenated side in the first half of that game.
United started the match under the floodlights at Villa Park with real purpose and intent. They looked dangerous with every transition, despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, and they were uncharacteristically organised when not on the ball. Nemanja Matic made the starting line-up that night and the midfield was balanced and cohesive. It was just a shame it was too good to be true.
Although it took 30 minutes for David de Gea to make his first save of the game, he was made to work from that point on. The momentum gradually shifted towards the end of the first half and Villa were on top by the time the whistle for half-time came.
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Bruno Fernandes' early goal meant United were ahead, but Villa started the second half exactly how they finished the first. United needed to stand tall and weather the storm and they seemed to do just that when scoring from a ruthless turnover.
Fernandes had scored his second of the match and United had a two-goal lead with 25 minutes to play. The goal promised to seal the result but the hosts weren't going to accept that script. The noise in Villa park increased and United's players began to hide.
It was no coincidence that United finished second in the Premier League in a season mostly played behind closed doors. The character in the club's playing squad has been dubious for some time and United's late capitulation against Villa was a reminder of that.
Jacob Ramsey scored for Villa in the 76th minute and there was an unshakable feeling of inevitability after that goal. It took just six minutes for Philippe Coutinho to score his side's equaliser and United's embarrassing mental fragility was haunting them again.
Villa searched for a winner after Coutinho's goal and it was a genuine surprise they didn't get it. United had thrown away a two-goal lead with amateur in-game management and they were forced to share the points after looking utterly superior in the first half.
Rangnick was visibly angry after the match and he bemoaned United's lack of control in the latter stages, which caused their demise. United played Villa again in pre-season on Saturday and the pattern of the game was freakishly like that of January's draw.
United have made encouraging progress under Erik ten Hag in pre-season and the early glimmers of his philosophy are becoming increasingly sustained. United played Villa in Perth and they dominated the first half and took a two-goal lead, just as they did six months ago, however, the similarities obviously don't stop there, as United threw away that advantage once again.
Steven Gerrard made multiple changes at the break and that allowed Villa to steal the initiative. The game quickly turned on its head, Villa were much the better side in the second half and they ultimately deserved their equaliser in stoppage time.
Ten Hag's post-match comments were similar to Rangnick's from January. “We had a lot of movement behind the defending line, scored two great goals, so we were 2-0 up at half-time and then our focus dropped,” Ten Hag said. “It can be that the guys are tired but that’s not an excuse. They have to perform and it is what we didn’t do in the second half. In the first half we were really good.
“It was the focus. I don’t want to make excuses about the pitch or weather. No matter what we have to perform. Football is a sport of mistakes and we have to decrease the mistakes. That’s clear but I have seen a lot of progress in these two weeks."
Ten Hag was right to recognise the progress in pre-season, but old habits clearly remain and it will take time for the Dutchman to change the culture in the dressing room. United lost focus and control on Saturday, which they did all too often last season.
Ten Hag spoke with authority after the game, criticising the second-half performance, and that suggests he's aware of what needs to change. Ten Hag has made a stellar impression during the pre-season tour and United's problems are finally being addressed.
When United and Villa next meet in the Premier League, Ten Hag should ensure it is a different story.
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