Two down in four minutes, twice
Old Trafford was already emptying when Manchester United finally found a way back. Aston Villa led 4-2 with 90 minutes on the clock, and Michael Carrick’s side still dragged the game to 4-4 with goals from Joshua Zirkzee (90+2) and Patrick Dorgu (90+6).
It had started in the worst possible way. Alysson beat Senne Lammens on the angle inside a minute, and four minutes in Lammens spilled another Alysson shot for Nicolas Jackson to tap in. It was the earliest United had ever trailed by two in a Premier League game. United recovered through a Bruno Fernandes penalty, won by Matheus Cunha after a Boubacar Kamara lunge, and an equaliser from Youri Tielemans against his old club just before the break.
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The second-half collapse that almost cost them
Another poor start to a half undid the good work. Diogo Dalot fouled Alysson and John McGinn scored the spot-kick on 48 minutes. Five minutes later Leny Yoro headed toward his own goal, Lammens could only push it onto the post, and Leon Goretzka forced in the rebound after Jackson miskicked.
United have now conceded more goals than any other team in Europe’s major leagues in all competitions this season. Zirkzee, off the bench, swept in what looked like a consolation. Then Villa keeper Zion Suzuki flapped at the last corner and Dorgu, also a substitute, headed in the equaliser.
Still in the bottom three
The point leaves United in the relegation zone after 10 games and still without a league win since August. Carrick had been given no assurances over his future beyond this match. Roy Keane, on Sky Sports, gave the players credit for fighting to the end but said conceding four at home makes life far too hard.
Villa move into the top half of the table, though Unai Emery was furious at watching two points slip away. United’s win over Roma on Tuesday had shown they can recover from a 2-0 deficit. This was the proof, and it still cost them.
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