Manchester United fight back twice to earn dramatic draw against Aston Villa

Manchester United twice recovered from two-goal deficits to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, with late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu potentially giving manager Michael Carrick more time in the job.

The result extended United’s winless concerns but left them in the relegation zone heading into a two-week international break. They have eight points from 10 games and, for the first time in Premier League history, fell 2-0 behind within the opening four minutes.

Alysson opened the scoring after only a minute when Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens allowed his shot to go through his legs. Lammens then parried another weak effort from Alysson, presenting Nicolas Jackson with the chance to score his sixth goal in six league matches.

United supporters had already renewed their criticism of the club’s owners before kick-off. A banner in the stands read: “We don’t want a new stadium, we want new owners,” amid growing opposition to plans to move away from Old Trafford.

Following Villa’s second goal, some fans turned their anger towards the players, chanting: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”

However, United responded as they had in Tuesday’s Champions League match against Roma, when they overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Matheus Cunha won a penalty and Bruno Fernandes converted it before half-time.

Youri Tielemans then restored parity with his first goal since joining United from Villa, driving a low shot beyond goalkeeper Zion Suzuki shortly before the interval.

The hosts’ momentum quickly disappeared after the restart. Diogo Dalot brought down Alysson in the area, allowing John McGinn to score from the penalty spot and make up for missing in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Villa moved 4-2 ahead moments later. Leny Yoro headed a McGinn free-kick against his own crossbar, and Leon Goretzka forced the ball over the line during the resulting scramble.

Further protests against United’s unpopular American owners, the Glazer family, continued during the closing stages. But Zirkzee’s composed finish gave the home side renewed hope before Dorgu completed the recovery in the sixth minute of added time.

Fernandes’s corner was missed by Suzuki, allowing Dorgu to react quickest and rescue a point.

Carrick had been given a reprieve after United’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth a fortnight ago. He now faces uncertainty over his future before a difficult trip to Liverpool on November 22, with the board potentially considering a replacement.

“We haven’t won enough games, but I expect to move forward and keep working on the things that we’ve been working on,” Carrick told Sky Sports.

Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and ex-Bayern Munich and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann are among the leading candidates should Carrick be dismissed.

Villa manager Unai Emery said: “I am disappointed but we move on. It is very important to analyse (the game) deeply.”