Manchester United stage remarkable late comeback to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa

Manchester United scored twice in stoppage time to salvage a thrilling 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the result leaves them 18th in the Premier League with only eight points from their opening 10 matches.

Aston Villa stunned the home side by scoring twice inside the first four minutes. Alison Edward opened the scoring after just one minute with a shot from inside the penalty area which Manchester United goalkeeper City Lamens could not keep out.

Nicolas Jackson then doubled Villa’s advantage in the fourth minute after another error by the Belgian goalkeeper, leaving United two goals behind before many of the Old Trafford supporters had settled.

United responded in the 16th minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty. Matheus Cunha had won the spot-kick after being brought down inside the area, giving the hosts renewed belief after their disastrous start.

The home side continued to dominate possession and create chances, with Villa goalkeeper Suzuki making a series of important saves to protect his side’s lead. United eventually levelled in the 44th minute through Youri Tielemans, who made it 2-2 at half-time.

Despite their early two-goal advantage, Aston Villa had largely surrendered the initiative as the first half progressed. United controlled the match and threatened repeatedly, but their failure to take more of their opportunities allowed Villa to remain level at the interval.

Villa made another fast start after the break, restoring their lead in the 48th minute when John McGinn scored from the penalty spot following a foul by Diogo Dalot.

The visitors extended their advantage five minutes later. Leny Yoro attempted to clear a cross with a header, but the ball struck the United crossbar and fell to Leon Goretzka, who finished from close range to make it 4-2.

United struggled to reproduce their first-half attacking momentum and appeared to have lost control of the contest. However, they renewed their pressure in the closing minutes and reduced the deficit through substitute Joshua Zirkzee in the second minute of added time.

Zirkzee met a low cross from Patrick Dorgu with a first-time finish, and the goal sparked a final push from the hosts. Dorgu then completed the comeback in the sixth minute of stoppage time, heading in from Bruno Fernandes’ corner to secure a point.

The dramatic recovery recalled United’s comeback against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. They overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice and Fernandes adding the other goal.

Before kick-off, United supporters staged further protests against the club’s management. A banner read: “We do not want a new stadium; we want a new management.” Fans also released green and yellow balloons, the colours associated with the club’s original identity, continuing the demonstrations seen during the Roma match.

United have won only once in the Premier League this season, against Ipswich Town in the second round. Aston Villa’s point lifts them to 13 points and 10th place.