In a mad match against Aston Villa, Manchester United avoided defeat in stoppage time. The Red Devils came back from behind twice, but still slipped into a relegation spot.
Man United’s Champions League comeback against AS Roma (3–2) had given them new hope after going seven league games without a win. Michael Carrick made two changes: Marzraoui and Tielemans started in place of Heaven (on the bench) and the injured Baleba.
The Villans, meanwhile, had lost 0–3 away to FC Barcelona in the Champions League midweek. Unai Emery responded with a triple change, bringing in Harwood-Bellis, Goretzka and Alysson from the start in place of Cash (not in the squad), Joao Gomes and Buendia (both on the bench).
Historic United blunder – equaliser before half-time
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was hopeful, but all that hope had evaporated after just 3 minutes and 40 seconds. After Alysson had nutmegged United goalkeeper Lammens to give the visitors a 1–0 lead (1st minute), the latter looked shaky again shortly afterwards. Lammens fumbled a harmless shot from Alysson, allowing Jackson to tap in from close range (4th minute). It was the earliest 0–2 deficit in United’s Premier League history.
As the match progressed, however, the Red Devils began to look more assured – and pulled one back fairly quickly: Bruno Fernandes confidently converted a penalty won by Matheus Cunha to make it 1–2 (16th minute). Numerous further chances followed, which Villa weathered, thanks in part to the alert Suzuki. In the 44th minute, however, even Suzuki was finally beaten when, of all people, former Villa player Tielemans netted the now-deserved equaliser to make it 2–2 at half-time.
Goretzka’s first goal – Carrick’s substitutes make the difference late on
Those at Old Trafford who had understandably gone into the second half with renewed optimism were once again disillusioned early on. As early as the 48th minute, McGinn had converted a penalty gifted by Diogo Dalot, before Goretzka scored his first goal in a Villa shirt five minutes later. Goretzka’s goal had been preceded by a botched clearance by Yoro.
Shocked by finding themselves two goals down once again, the Red Devils were unable to mount a challenge for a long time, whilst Villa took no unnecessary risks. The match gradually drifted towards its conclusion. But there was to be a final burst of excitement, as substitute Zirkzee pulled one back for the home side in the second minute of stoppage time.
And as if that weren’t enough: in the sixth minute of stoppage time, it was another Carrick substitute who put the finishing touch on a turbulent match. Dorgu headed a corner from Bruno Fernandes into the net.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils not only go into the international break on the back of a run of eight league games without a win, but also find themselves in a relegation spot. To make matters worse, United face an away match against Liverpool FC in two weeks’ time (22 November, 5.30 pm). Villa, meanwhile, face Sunderland the day before (4 pm).