MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.
Ten Hag brought in Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans – after bringing on both centre-backs three days earlier to help United snatch a 3-3 Europa League draw at Porto.
And the Dutchman will surely feel that decision was vindicated, even though the Red Devils have just eight points from seven Prem games.
Here’s how 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.
Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.
Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.
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Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.
Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.
Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.
Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.
Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down.
United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.
Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.
Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here!
Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.
Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.
VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.
ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.
CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.
