Man Utd are in relegation trouble and Carrick must be sacked
Man Utd are in relegation trouble and Carrick must be sacked
Jason Burt Sun, November 8, 2026 at 8:23 PM UTC
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Michael Carrick may be spared after United scored twice in injury time to salvage a draw - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
Michael Carrick stood perfectly still and raised his left arm, and his index finger, high in the air. Around him, chaos. As it had been all afternoon. Substitute Patrick Dorgu had just headed in a corner to rescue a point for Manchester United in the 96th minute and, maybe, save Carrick his job.
Going into added time and United were two goals behind. It seemed all was lost for them against Aston Villa and for their head coach, but how telling was the reaction, in the directors’ box, of chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, who both jumped up in celebration? They were far more animated than Carrick and could not contain themselves.
Did their behaviour betray not just their excitement in the moment but their relief at not having to sack Carrick during this forthcoming international break? If so, they need to think again. They need to make a sober and rational decision based on evidence. And the evidence shows that Carrick must go. Because this kind of football is unsustainable. This kind of football does not work. This kind of football is stupid.
United are 18th in the Premier League. They have won one game in 10 in the league. They have conceded 15 goals in their last five matches in the league and Champions League. When they play Liverpool away, their next game, on November 22, it will be the first time they have done so from inside the relegation zone since March 1937.
They appear shockingly disorganised. Tactics seem to be an after-thought; where motivation is lacking until desperation kicks in. United conceded two goals within four minutes at the start of the game. And then two more within eight minutes of the second half kicking off.
The bottom line is this: can they afford not to make a change? If they do not, United could be accused of copping out and gambling with their status. So, Berrada and Wilcox must ask: what is Carrick doing in the dressing room and the training ground? What messages are he and his assistant Steve Holland sending out? Are the players even listening?
At the end the fans sang Carrick’s name after United became the first team in the Premier League to come back twice from being two goals down. That also summed up the fog of confusion at a club who so obviously lack direction – from the top down – and need to get a grip of themselves. Carrick talked about having to “tighten up” the defending. But everything needs to be stronger. More taut. More competitive.
Carrick looked like a man resigned to his fate for large parts of the afternoon at Old Trafford - Danehouse/Getty Images/James Gill
Chaos can be entertaining. Chaos can be fun. As an advert for the Premier League this was outstanding. United fans will be thrilled with the Fergie-time comeback. But chaos is also unsustainable. No one knows what to expect from United.
In the cold light of day Villa manager Unai Emery will have to ask himself whether he, too, got it wrong. His substitutions did not work, bizarrely taking off too much experience, such as his outstanding captain John McGinn, and he handed United a late initiative when it looked like all hope was lost.
But analyse the goals that United conceded. Any rational response would suggest a change should be made. Take the first two. Villa scored with their first attack, moving the ball from a throw-in, with zero pressure on them, from left to right with McGinn finding Alysson. The winger’s low first-time shot went through the legs of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who had an awful game. Lammens’s only positive contribution was to come up for the late corner from which Dorgu scored, possibly getting away with a sly nudge on Villa’s Zion Suzuki.
Then Lammens conceded a second as he fumbled a shot from Alysson, after the Brazilian was again teed up by McGinn with Nicolas Jackson tucking home the rebound. It followed a poor defensive header from Leny Yoro. It would not be his last one.
At that point, even so early, it felt over. For United. For Carrick. Then it got complicated. In fairness, United responded brilliantly. By half-time it was 2-2 and a potentially mutinous situation, with the fans on edge and unfurling new banners attacking the hierarchy – including one which read “your funeral not ours” – had turned and were raucous in a positive way.
Manchester United fans make known their feelings towards the ownership - AMA/Getty Images/Catherine Ivill
Matheus Cunha, with a sharp turn and run into the Villa penalty area before being brought down, earned the spot kick from which Bruno Fernandes pulled back the first goal. Former Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans drew them level with a first-time shot. Not just that but they peppered the Villa goal.
Then they conceded two more in quick succession with a ridiculous trip on Alysson by Diogo Dalot, who was given the runaround at left-back until he was substituted to cheers. McGinn scored from the penalty. It was 4-2 when Yoro inexplicably headed a McGinn free-kick goalwards, Lammens tipped it on to the crossbar and Leon Goretzka eventually bundled the ball in.
Tellingly, the United supporters appeared too stunned to protest. The game meandered to what felt like an inevitable conclusion, petering out much like, surely, Carrick’s time in charge.
But, football, bloody hell. As someone – who was appointed United manager 40 years ago last week – once said. Dorgu made a difference. As did Joshua Zirkzee, another substitute, as the pair became United’s unlikely saviours, the striker sweeping home the full-back’s cross in the 92nd minute, with six added on.
Then a corner was won. The roar went up – as did Lammens. But it was Dorgu who met the delivery from close range to salvage a point. But the big question is: did he also salvage Carrick?
Carrick insists he will not resign
Michael Carrick has insisted he remains the right man to lead Manchester United and will not walk away despite the club being marooned in the relegation zone.
United came from 2-0 and 4-2 down to claim a last gasp 4-4 draw against Aston Villa thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s dramatic 96th-minute equaliser on another wild day at Old Trafford.It means United still only have one Premier League win to their name this season and are languishing in 18th position, a point adrift of safety, heading into the international break when the Old Trafford hierarchy must decide whether to keep faith with Carrick or appoint their third manager this year.
Carrick cut a spiky figure when asked about his future by Sky Sports and whether he would walk away.
“That’s not going to happen,” Carrick said, before asking “will there?” when it was put to him that there would “clearly” be conversations about his future.
“We haven’t won enough games, but I expect to move forward and keep working on the things we’ve been working on and showing a lot of good in the game today,” he said. “Tighten up on some things and start winning football matches.”
Asked later if he had seen enough to turn the situation around, the United head coach added: “Yeah, 100 per cent. I think there’s more than enough. Goals change games and you’ve got to deal with it, and it’s part of something we have to improve on drastically, but there’s more than enough.”Carrick scoffed at talk of United being in a relegation battle. “We’re in November,” he said. “I don’t like this situation where we are and where we’re at. But we can do something about it.”
Keane: Politician Carrick talks a lot but doesn’t say much
Roy Keane, the former United captain, likened Carrick to a “politician”. “It’s hard to believe what’s coming out of the United camp because we can’t even be sure they’re being honest with themselves. It’s just words,” he said. “It’s obviously difficult for the manager. Under pressure, no doubt. He talks a lot but doesn’t say much. I don’t know if that’s a tactic. Like a politician.
“He keeps saying we need to tighten up and there’s things we need to work on. But they better get moving on that.”
Diogo Dalot’s second-half substitution was cheered by the home supporters and the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe again came under fierce attack from fans, who held up a banner in the Stretford End that read: “We don’t want a new stadium. We want new owners.” It is understood the banner was later confiscated by stewards.
United fans protest against the ownership - AFP via Getty Images/Darren Staples
Carrick defended Dalot’s contributions after another dismal showing from the Portugal defender and claimed the fans were “right behind” the players, despite growing discontent in the stands.
“I understand the frustration, I understand the disappointment of the supporters, so I get it. We’re all frustrated, we’re all disappointed,” Carrick said.
“Diogo, he gives absolutely everything. He’s played in different positions, he’s played left-back, he’s played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today, he knows that. Maybe he can do a little bit better, he’s made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot and he’s giving everything.
“I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we’ve got.”
Carrick defended Diogo Dalot after his substitution was cheered by United fans - Getty Images/Michael Regan
Asked if Dalot needed taking out of the team for his own good, Carrick: “Picking a team and who plays the next game, that’s a whole different decision, but it’s a whole different game that we’ve got to look forward to now.
“They [the fans] are desperate to get behind us and for us to give them something to go on and shout about. There’s frustration and disappointment at times, we all feel that. But they are right behind the boys and were at the final whistle as well.”
Unai Emery stormed straight down the tunnel before the final whistle, furious at his team’s failure to see out the game.
“We are disappointed, frustrated because in minute 90 we are winning 2-4,” the Villa manager said. “We will accept the result because we have won three and drawn three in last matches and we’re doing well. But today we have lost two points.”
07:33pm
Emery not in the mood for more questions
They scored in minute 96 and there were six minutes added. I thought the match was finishing.
Not unfair. They scored the goal and I thought the match was over.
07:29pm
Read the room...
07:28pm
Roy Keane: I wish I was as casual as Carrick
It’s hard for us to listen to the messages coming out of the United camp when deep down, I’m not even sure you’re being honest with yourselves. So how can we believe a word you’re saying? Because what we’re seeing most weeks is chaotic defending, not being organised, people not putting their bodies on the line.
Then the manager gets interviewed and says “we need to tighten up”... it’s just words. We’re waiting for a reaction.
I admire people who are casual like that, I wish I was casual like that. I see Carrick and he’s like “oh, we just have to tighten up”... should be banging heads! But hey, we’re all different.
07:24pm
Carrick on United’s defensive record
There’s been too many – that is clear and we know that. Something we have to put right.
I liked the character, the quality of football. We had most of the game, attacked the box we had shots and created chances. Coming from a place where you’re 2-0 down and haven’t had a good run of results the boys played good football - pressed well. A lot of the game was where we want it but if you look at it overall there’s a lot [to like] and to finish the game and never give up it shows the character in the boys.
07:20pm
John McGinn on Villa’s game management
We have a lot of inexperienced players but a lot of talent and that’s why we score goals. It doesn’t matter if United are low in confidence, you’re always up against it. The third goal was really poor and gave them a lot of encouragement to score.
We lost two points. We threw it away. The last five minutes were just madness. It’s going to sting.
The manager is a winner; he’ll be hurting the way we are. We go play international football but he’ll dwell on it for two weeks.
07:09pm
Emery: We lost two points
A very difficult match. We competed well and we struggled in the first half after our two goals. Second half we had good balance to try to win the match. Scored two more goals and when we were controlling the game in the last six minutes they scored two goals. They can do it – they did it against Roma. My analysis is that overall we have lost a good opportunity to win the match.
We have young talented players, we need to get this mix. We are being demanding to play at this level. United showed their level. We must continue working, move on and analyse and how we can defend better and in the moment we were dominating get the better attack. We are disappointed, frustrated because in minute 90 we are winning 2-4. We will accept the result because we have won three and drawn three in last matches and we’re doing well. But today we have lost two points.
Unai Emery has never won at Old Trafford - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
07:08pm
Carrick asked about his future
I understand the situation, we haven’t won enough games, but I expect to carry on working on the things that we’ve been working on, tightening things up and winning football matches.
07:05pm
Carrick pleased with large parts of the performance
Disappointed that we didn’t win the game. Thought we were the better team for large parts, keeping making it difficult for ourselves with some of the goals we are giving away. Not just one, it’s two in quick succession.
Came back into the game, had a lot of the game and could have won it. It’s moments that we need to tighten up on. Different moments, individual moments, we are giving away different goals that you wouldn’t normally see.
There was a lot of good in that performance.
Michael Carrick wants to take the positives - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
06:53pm
Cunha on the atmosphere inside Old Trafford
Before we played everyone is a fan. You understand why they are frustrated. This is completely fine, we understand. We are on the pitch and we need to manage this. We need to change the mentality – be in the game. I don’t think the fans are against us it’s just that they want to see us perform and win games.
Before anything else we need to look inside to us - the players, the staff. It’s a huge club and to feel something like this [being in relegation zone] is not normal - we need to come back. Many more things to do, we have lots more games. We need to learn from the last seasons. We can not do the same things. We’re good enough to go and change our situation - fight for us, the players and staff. We only ask for the fans to keep doing what they are doing because it helps us.
Cunha did not attempt to gloss over the situation - Getty Images/Catherine Ivill
06:53pm
Cunha on another slow start for United
So disappointed, after the other night we talked a lot about how not to concede goals and then change our mentality to come again. We did it again, conceded goals. We can’t do that – we need to play like Man Utd and go forward and create chances, play with more courage. After we concede goals we show character but if we do this before we can win much more games.
We want to be the best and show that we can come back. We need to show the mentality to do this from the start.
06:51pm
A worry for Villa?
According to Opta, they conceded 26 shots and 3.55 expected goals, against a team completely shot for confidence. United falling two down inside four minutes perhaps warped the game, but Villa lacked control.
There were chances at both ends throughout the game - Sky Sports
06:45pm
They stuck at it
06:42pm
United’s predicament
They go to Anfield in the first game back after the international break, on a weekend when Coventry host Crystal Palace. This may not be rock bottom.
06:39pm
The grim reality
06:32pm
FT: United 4 Villa 4
Manchester United will spend the international break in the relegation zone and are winless in their last eight Premier League games, but it could have been so much worse.
The game looked over when six minutes of stoppage time were indicated, but Joshua Zirkzee’s goal changed the atmosphere and then Zion Suzuki was found wanting from a corner and Patrick Dorgu equalised.
Nobody in Old Trafford knows what to think, apart from Villa fans who must devastated that they chucked it away. Twice.
The question now is whether United showed enough to spare Carrick the sack.
United snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat - Reuters/Jon Super
06:30pm
98 minutes: United 4 Villa 4
The game has just restarted with 98 minutes on the clock.
And United are on the attack again through Fernandes, who feeds Mount on the left but his low cross is in front of everyone.
06:28pm
GOOOOAALL! Dorgu has levelled it
With Lammens up for the corner, Suzuki makes a mess of it in the six-yard box and grasps fresh air, allowing Dorgu to nod home an improbable equaliser. Villa will be sick, they have thrown this away.
Emery marches straight down the tunnel. How important will that be for Carrick? Answers on a postcard.
Unai Emery was not in a mood for hanging around - Sky Sports
06:27pm
96 minutes: United 3 Villa 4
Dorgu is proving a weapon for United down the left, and Villa are having to defend their box.
Lacey then whips a really dangerous cross in from the right, and Harwood-Bellis clears at the back post at the expense of a corner.
06:25pm
94 minutes: United 3 Villa 4
Was that the chance for United?! Maatsen’s defensive header from a Dorgu cross lacked power, and Mount was unmarked at the edge of the box, but he skewed his left-footed half-volley over the bar.
06:24pm
93 minutes: United 3 Villa 4
United have hope again, but it is diligent defending from Hemmings to intercept and attempted one-two between Mount and Fernandes.
06:23pm
GOOOAALL! Zirkzee sets up a nervy finish for Villa
Plenty of United fans have already left, but they have around four minutes now to find an equaliser after Zirkzee sweeps home Dorgu’s low cross. Villa making their fans sweat again.
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring their third goal - Reuters/Jon Super
06:21pm
90 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
There will be six minutes of stoppage time to play.
06:20pm
89 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
One of United’s best efforts of the second half, with Mason Mount helping on a chipped miss on the volley but the shot clipped the top of the crossbar. United needed that one to go in.
06:17pm
86 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Resignation around Old Trafford now, and Madjo has just replaced Jackson up front for Villa. Emery has a really exciting battery of attacking options to choose from, they should always carry a threat no matter how well they are playing as a team.
06:15pm
84 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Neat passing football out from the back from Villa, with Barkley turning in midfield and playing a searching pass towards Hemmings. Dorgu slides in to concede a throw deep in United territory.
06:14pm
82 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Another throw of the dice from Carrick: Mbuemo off, Zirkzee on but it feels as if the air has gone out of the balloon at Old Trafford. Villa just need to stay professional and avoid any unforced errors.
06:12pm
81 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Villa enjoying a strong spell of possession in United’s half now, Mbaye proving an outlet down the left since coming on as a substitute.
Barkley then spreads play to Hemmings on the break, and Fernandes finds himself in the left-back zone and trips the winger.
Villa looking comfortable now, and some United fans are heading for the exits.
06:09pm
79 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Emery with another double change: Mbaye and Gomes replace Goretzka and Manzambi. Villa’s manager is very good at pacing his team through these matches and adding pace and power from the bench at the right time.
06:08pm
77 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Shea Lacey earns United a corner from Maatsen, an attacking full-back who tends to give wingers a chance. The ball flicks off Hemmings at the back post and goes for another corner. Taken short, but Kamara blocks a tame Fernandes shot.
06:06pm
75 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
“It’s a long way to London when you’re s---,” is the latest chant in the repertoire of Villa’s away fans. Fernandes and Mainoo are trying to force passes forward but Harwood-Bellis and Torres are reading their intentions and intercepting.
06:05pm
73 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Stoppage in play after a hefty challenge on Manzambi from Yoro, but there was nothing malicious in the tackle. Some groans from the Old Trafford crowd when play resumes as Fernandes slices a pass high into the sky. Villa happy for a few more minutes to tick by.
06:02pm
70 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Goretzka with a really poor square pass inside his own half, and Kamara cannot make a challenge against Cunha, but his shot from a tight angle is straight at Suzuki. Fernandes then lifts a cross over the bar.
Emery’s turn to make changes: McGinn and Alysson off, Barkley and Hemmings on.
05:59pm
68 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Mbeumo shoots just wide of the far post from 20 yards out, not a bad effort. Villa are not impregnable, but they are managing this half’s two-goal lead better than the first. A touch more compact, and winning fouls to halt any nascent United momentum.
05:57pm
66 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Triple sub by United: Dalot, Amad and Tielemans the players off, replaced by Dorgu, Lacey and Mount. Hearty cheers from Lacey from the United fans, the young attacker who set up Cunha’s winner against Roma.
Huge cheers when Dalot is substituted from the United fans followed by boos as he left the pitch. Shades of Zirkzee against Newcastle.
Diogo Dalot trudges off - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
05:54pm
63 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
United work a free-kick short, and Fernandes’s shot from the edge of the box deflects wide. Bodies fall like skittles from the corner, but VAR decides there was nothing sinister in Villa’s defending. Alysson then bodies Mbuemo but the referee waves it away as the home crowd appeal for a decision.
05:51pm
60 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Tielemans slices a left-footed shot over the bar from distance, but both teams are still finding it easy to progress the ball and create half chances. There are surely more goals on the way if it carries on like this.
05:50pm
58 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
McGinn with a teasing delivery from the free-kick, and but his cross evaded everyone. Mbuemo then tests Suzuki with a snap shot, but the flag was up for offside against the Manchester United forward in any case.
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05:48pm
56 minutes: United 2 Villa 4
Attack, or counter-attack, might prove the best form of defence for Villa because Alysson is tearing it up down their right flank. Heaven hacks him down at the expense of a yellow card, and the forward requires some treatment.
05:45pm
GOOOAALL! Goretzka scores from close range
Chaotic defending from the free-kick, with Yoro losing his bearings and heading against his own crossbar from a few yards out. There ensues a goal-mouth scramble, but Goretzka was on hand to make sure from a few yards out. United two goals down for the second time in the game. Can they do it all again?
Leon Goretzka scores from close range - Getty Images/Darren Staples
05:43pm
52 minutes: United 2 Villa 3
Good work in midfield from McGinn to protect the ball not once but twice and buy a foul from Fernandes, who throws his hands up at the decision. That is the name of the game for Villa: if they can keep the ball for longer spells, chances will open up around the edge of United’s box.
05:42pm
50 minutes: United 2 Villa 3
Mazraoui with a misdirected cross that drifts behind for a goal kick. Old Trafford is quiet again, save for the Villa fans in the corner. Maguire has his critics, but his half-time departure has not helped United’s cause. Their defence was flimsy enough with him there.
05:39pm
GOOOAAAL! McGinn buries the penalty
Just like in the first half, Villa have an early goal. Unerring finish from the spot from McGinn, plenty of power and sending Lammens the wrong way. Can Villa keep their foot on the pedal this time?
05:38pm
PENALTY VILLA!
Dalot looks rueful after the referee points to the spot because he knows he has tripped the lively Alysson. The Villa forward has been a menace throughout. John McGinn to take, one week on from his miss against Fulham.
Alysson has been a nightmare for Dalot all game but that was such a lame challenge. You have to wonder how Dalot keeps getting picked.
Dalot’s body shape was all wrong against Alysson - Getty Images/Carl Recine
05:36pm
We are back under way!
Aston Villa kick off in the second half.
05:36pm
Half-time change from United
It appears enforced, with Harry Maguire replaced by Ayden Heaven. United will play the second half with two 20-year-old central defenders.
05:23pm
HT: United 2 Villa 2
United have hope again just when things looked completely hopeless. After Aston Villa scored twice in the opening four minutes, thoughts were turning to official club statements and pictures of corner flags.
Carrick’s team have been irrepressible since though, attacking Villa with abandon and scoring two well-deserved goals.
Villa lost their grip too easily with a two-goal lead, and it’s not the first time you can say that about an Emery team.
Youri Tielemans scores against his former club - Reuters/Jon Super
05:21pm
45+4 minutes: United 2 Villa 2
VAR have a decision to make after a high boot from Fernandes on Alysson in United’s box but the incident is checked and cleared.
05:19pm
45+2 minutes: United 2 Villa 2
Villa miss a chance to go in with a lead, Alysson on the run again and he dinked the ball over Lammens but wide of the far post.
05:17pm
GOOAAALL! United are level through Tielemans
The midfielder has scored against his former club, a shot from the edge of the box squeezing under Suzuki after a well-placed cut-back from Mazraoui down the right. Mbuemo was stood in front of the goalkeeper, but he was onside and the goal stands.
It looked like United’s chance to draw level before half-time had gone when Amad, without a United goal for almost a year, had a shot from a great position saved but Tielemans has equalised after another good attack. United have responded well since Fernandes’ penalty although Villa very nearly went back ahead with Alysson, who has been a menace down United’s left, almost scoring.
05:16pm
44 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Big save from Suzuki to deny Amad! Strong hand from the goalkeeper to keep it out and avoid spilling the ball to a United player.
05:14pm
42 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Suzuki called upon to sweep up well outside of his area, before a Fernandes shot hits Mazraoui in the head. Jackson wastes a Villa counter-attack with a careless pass.
05:11pm
39 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Mazraoui penalised for a foul on Manzambi near the corner of the penalty area. Welcome territory, and the chance to push for a third goal before half-time.
Floated in by McGinn, but Torres’s header loops comfortably over the bar.
05:09pm
37 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Maguire and Yoro defend well against Jackson’s peeling run in the left channel before United come forward again through Cunha. The ball is worked across to Amad, who cuts inside Maatsen a little too easily and shoots not far wide of the far post.
05:07pm
35 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
The last few minutes of the game have been quieter, welcome news from Villa’s perspective. Jackson, Alysson and Manzambi still look a threat when they have a chance to attack space from deep, but they need more midfield control from Kamara and Goretzka.
05:04pm
31 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Fernandes whips free-kick wide of the post from a crossing position, but feels he should have a corner for a flick off Suzuki. The Old Trafford crowd are up again after Mainoo slides in to win a tackle in midfield.
Zion Suzuki punches a cross - Shutterstock/Adam Vaughan
05:01pm
29 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
This is one-way traffic now, United swarming all over Villa and Amad’s deflected shot trickles just wide of Suzuki’s post. United’s response to the first four minutes of the game has been impressive, but Villa are playing a part in their own downfall.
United on top now and have a little momentum after that shocking start. The crowd have also lifted noticeably.
Amad Diallo shoots just wide - Getty Images/Darren Staples
04:59pm
26 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
United are certainly in the ascendancy now, Villa allowing too much space around the edge of their box. From there, a Fernandes shot deflects off the boot of John McGinn and loops not far wide of the post. Suzuki palms the ball behind for another corner.
The goalkeeper clears the second corner in unorthodox fashion, before Mainoo’s shot deflects into Suzuki’s gloves.
Villa have lost control of the game.
04:56pm
24 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Cracking effort from Cunha, going for the far corner from 25 yards with a curling shot but Suzuki was equal to it and tipped the ball around the post. From the resulting corner, Aston Villa’s goalkeeper gathers at the second attempt after attempting to catch.
04:54pm
21 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
A more chaotic game suits United, Villa will want some more sustained periods of possession. McGinn and Manzambi’s positioning is causing United problems. Mazraoui is stepping out to mark the Swiss but not always getting there. Diligent defending from Amad to track back against Maatsen.
Some fans had been encouraging a walk-out in the 21st minute (to signal 21 years of “decay” under the Glazers”) but if any fans have left it’s very few. Old Trafford still packed.
04:50pm
18 minutes: United 1 Villa 2
Villa trying to restore some order with considered passing from deep, but Maguire steps in well to take the ball off McGinn. Mbemo is the flagged for offside. United are the team with bigger problems, but Villa do not look wholly trustworthy themselves.
04:47pm
GOOOAAALL! Fernandes sends Suzuki the wrong way
The slow, stuttered run up pays off this time as Fernandes waits for Suzuki to dive right, before passing the ball the other way. Game on.
04:46pm
PENALTY UNITED!
Kamara penalised for lunging at Cunha in the penalty from the wrong side, and his left leg caught the United man before he got to the ball. Not particularly contentions, but VAR is taking time to check. Decision confirmed.
Bruno Fernandes to take, against Suzuki.
Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha - Getty Images/Carl Recine
04:45pm
13 minutes: United 0 Villa 2
Manzambi has enjoyed an impressive start to his Villa career, as well as this game. When there is space for him to stride into, United’s midfield appears incapable of stopping him.
04:42pm
9 minutes: United 0 Villa 2
Lindelof clears Cunha’s cross. “You should have signed for a big club!” is the chant from Villa’s away end, aimed at Youri Tielemans.
Then Manzambi releases Jackson into space, Villa’s centre-forward galloping into space but Yoro did well to slow him down and avoid pulling a shirt at the expense of a corner.
Fernandes then drags a snap shot wide of the post. Frantic stuff.
04:40pm
7 minutes: United 0 Villa 2
Villa continue to pour forward with menace, United’s defence offering all the resistance of wet tissue paper. I’m not sure I can recall a home team starting a match this badly, perhaps Spurs vs Fulham last season runs it close.
The sheer scale of the incompetence is staggering. Two goals down in three minutes and 40 seconds, shambolic defending all round, dismal goalkeeping, boos echoing around after that second Villa goes in, the ownership targeted at every opportunity. “You’re getting sacked in the morning” the Villa fans sing at Michael Carrick. And now “Unai’s right, you’re f------ s----”, a nod to Emery being heavily linked with the Old Trafford job but close to signing a new deal with Villa. Tielemans is being taunted with chants of “You used to play for a big club” and “you sold your soul for this s---hole”.
Nicolas Jackson adds to his tally of goals this season - Getty Images/Michael Regan
04:37pm
GOOOAALL! Jackson makes it two
These scenes are truly surreal, Manchester United are 2-0 down inside four minutes. This is a new low.
It was a meat and drink free-kick floated into the box, the ball dropped for Alysson to hit from the edge of the box, and Lammens could only parry back into danger.
Jackson was free as a bird to score from a few yards, and he was well onside.
04:34pm
GOOOAALLL! Villa score with one minute on the clock
United’s fans and Jason Wilcox in the stands look dumbstruck, it is the worst possible start.
Bright play from Villa who are first to every ball, working the ball with sharpness across the box from right to left, and Alysson takes his shot first time and it creeps under the body of Lammens.
Alysson’s aim was true, you could say.
Where do United go from here?
04:32pm
KICK OFF!
Villa get the game under way, and they have turned United around. The home team will kick towards the Stretford End in the first half.
04:26pm
The teams are out at Old Trafford
Green and gold balloons galore on the Stretford End. Remembrance Sunday will be marked before kick-off with the Last Post and a minute’s silence.
Another United home game brings more protests - PA/Martin Rickett
04:22pm
United fans make their priorities known
United fans have paraded a new banner in the Stretford End that reads: “We don’t want a new stadium, we want new owners.” Hundreds of green and gold balloons are again being released – a nod to the club’s original colours and a symbol of protest. Lots of anti Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe chants again reverberating with the co-owners told to: “Sell United and f--- off home”.
It’s not the only banner. One reads: “History, Dignity, Integrity, You Stole It All”. Another read “Jim Ain’t The One”. One simply says: “Sell Up.”
04:21pm
Possibly a TV first
Taylor Harwood-Bellis starts at the back for Villa, and his father-in-law Roy Keane is in the Sky Sports studio.
04:19pm
The green and gold balloons are out in force
Green and gold balloons will fill the Stretford End - PA/Martin Rickett
04:03pm
Confirmation of where United stand
They will kick-off in 19th, two points adrift of safety. Sunderland’s win over Chelsea lifts them above United, but Palace are now bottom after a 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool.
03:41pm
United fans sending a clear message
This “Glazers Out, Ratcliffe Out” flag is being passed around on the forecourt outside Old Trafford.
One of many green and gold banners around Old Trafford - PA/Martin Rickett
03:34pm
‘Emtpy Old Trafford’
One fan group is calling for supporters to walk out in the 21st minute in protest at 21 years of Glazer ownership.
Once upon a time, the only Old Trafford flyers on the agenda were Ryan Giggs and Andrei Kanchelskis. Not so today.
Protests are expected once again at Old Trafford - Getty Images/Carl Recine
03:20pm
Villa team news: Lindelof at right-back against former club
Unai Emery has picked a surprising back four, it could end up being a situational back three of Lindelof, Harwood-Bellis and Torres when Maatsen raids forward from left-back. Villa fans are keen to see more of Mbaye, their summer signing from PSG, but he has to settle for a place on the bench.
Aston Villa starting XI: Suzuki, Lindelof, Harwood-Bellis, Pau Torres, Maatsen, Goretzka, Kamara, McGinn, Alysson, Manzambi, Jackson
03:18pm
United team news: Amad keeps place on right ahead of Lacey
With Lisandro Martinez suspended, Yoro moves inside from right-back to partner Maguire. Dalot annd Mazraoui can play full-back on both sides. No Carlos Baleba after his hamstring injury, so the Tielemans-Mainoo-Fernandes trio has another chance to convince. There is a lack of legs and steel in that midfield, and Villa are one of the most adept teams at playing through the middle of the pitch into the likes of McGinn and Manzambi in the pockets.
United starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, Mazraoui, Tielemans, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha
03:16pm
United relegation battles revisited
With four Premier League games in progress the picture is ever-changing, but United are currently 19th in the Premier League table. The club, famously, were relegated in 1974 with the coup de grâce applied by Denis Law’s backheel when the Scot was playing in a City shirt. In this piece, James Ducker looks back on the previous occasions when one of the world’s biggest clubs has flirted with calamity.
03:10pm
Carragher: Man Utd will always be bigger than Villa
When Villa dropped into the Championship, it did not change the fact they were the biggest club in the Midlands. No matter what Tom Brady does at Birmingham City, that’s not changing any time soon. They sought and achieved promotion by raiding Brentford.
Nobody was complaining about a sleeping giant taking Dean Smith, Ezri Konsa or Ollie Watkins and potentially stalling Brentford’s progression.
Nor was it suggested hiring Emery from Villarreal was an odd move given that the Spanish side had recently won the Europa League and reached the latter stages of the Champions League.
03:03pm
Carrick: No assurances over future beyond this game
Michael Carrick says he has been given no assurances about his future beyond this afternoon’s crucial game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.United are searching for only their second Premier League win of the season and first in 70 days after the club’s worst start to a campaign for 40 years piled the pressure on Carrick.They dropped into the relegation zone last night following Nottingham Forest’s victory over Manchester City and will be bottom by the end of the weekend if they lose to Villa and Crystal Palace and Sunderland both win.The Old Trafford hierarchy opted to give Carrick more time to try to turn their season around following a 3-0 hammering by Bournemouth and 4-1 drubbing in Como, since when United have been beaten 2-0 by Chelsea and recovered from two goals down to overcome Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.Asked if he had been told outright he would still be in charge next week, Carrick said: “No - no. Just carry on as absolute normal.”Pressed on when he felt his future was uncertain, the head coach added: “No, no. Whatever happens and what’s going to happen is going to happen in terms of the game, we’ve got to prepare right.“I’m really looking forward to playing at home on the back of the other night. The supporters are hopefully looking forward to coming and energised and feeling good about what they might see and we’ve got to repay that.”Another defeat would leave the United board with a big decision to make around Carrick’s future at a time when they are under severe attack from the fanbase.United’s game against Roma was briefly interrupted when tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch in the first half of a game notable for more furious protests against the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.Three people were arrested by Greater Manchester Police for throwing items on to the pitch and are understood to have been hit with automatic three-year football banning orders as a consequence. More in-stadium demonstrations are expected today with regular match going fans encouraged not to buy alcohol or drinks inside Old Trafford and again release green and gold balloons before kick-off.Green and gold were the club’s original colours as Newton Heath and have become a symbol of protest against the ownership. Asked why there had been such a big drop-off from last season, Carrick added: “It’s just inconsistency, that’s within games,” he said.“It can be a number of things, it’s never just one thing: a bit of decision-making, a bit of concentration, things going against us in certain points, sometimes we haven’t helped ourselves. So there’s no excuses for it, it is what it is. The great thing is we can do something about it.”
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Source: “AOL Sports”
