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Erik Ten Hag lives to fight another day in the dugout at Old Trafford as his side managed to take a point from Villa Park following a 0-0 draw.
It was United who started on the front foot, with Rashford making Martinez work early on with a powerful shot from the edge of the box requiring a strong push away from the Argentine. It would be a quiet afternoon for Rashford, who recorded his second lowest amount of touches so far this season from games he’s started, only touching it 24 times, 2 more times he did against Brighton on Matchday 2.
In a quiet first half, it would be Villa to probe next, after Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans would fire a shot wide of the target. Just before the end of the half, a delicate ball lifted in to the back-post would be met by Leon Bailey, but the Jamaican would choose to go with feet over head and make minimal contact with the ball. It’s poor decision making like this that characterised Villa’s performance on the day, and should they have find the offensive instinct that has helped them emphatically see of such opponents this season as Wolves and Everton, they could have taken all 3 points.
Villa would be frustrated in the 11th minute after Ezri Konsa was forced off and replaced by Diego Carlos. After already facing an injury scare in September with England, Villa will be looking to avoid any long-term injuries to an integral part of their defence, having already lost key players in the early stages of the season in John McGinn, Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey.
United would also face injury problems at half time after Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui would limp their way into the dressing room at half time, prompting Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof to enter the backline. This melancholy image for United fans would bring the half to a close: 0-0.
Villa would start the second half, with Andre Onana being forced into some crucial saves to deny efforts from the likes of Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. Tielemans would consistently control the pace of Villa’s play, acting as the beating heart of Unai Emery’s midfield.
Controversy would strike in the 61st minute, where after being booked just 2 minutes earlier for a trip on Matty Cash, Marcus Rashford would narrowly avoid being sent off for kicking out against Leon Bailey. Though it had appeared the Villa man had already taken the ball past him after the contact was made, Rashford would stay on the pitch before being switched for Antony in the 64th minute.
The best effort of the afternoon would come in the 68th minute, where Bruno Fernandes would delicately put a wonderful effort on goal onto the crossbar. The woodwork denied Bruno his first Manchester United goal this season, and his first free-kick goal for United since scoring against Everton in a pre-season friendly in 2021.
As both sides pushed for a winner, including a very interesting free kick routine from Tielemans and Lucas Digne, neither side would find much quality in the final third as the game entered the dying embers. As the game ticked into the 90th minute, battery problems with the referee’s VAR equipment would bring the game to a halt, much to the distaste of the Villa faithful.
Each side would have 1 more chance each, with Ten Hag’s side up first after Garnacho broke down the right-hand side. As he entered the Villa half, United would have a 2v1 situation, but a weak and poor ball from the Argentine would see their chance go away. Villa’s would be much more dramatic in the 97th minute, when some swift play down the left hand side would find its way to Jadon Philogene who would have his effort blocked by Diogo Dalot from 6 yards out.
This would be the final chance of the game as Rob Jones would eventually put both managers out of their misery and split the spoils. A point each left United 14th and Villa 5th going into the international break. Full time: 0-0.
Villa face some tough games after the international break, with a trip to Craven Cottage against Fulham followed by Bologna, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. United will look to get back to winning ways upon the return to club football, with games against Brentford, Fenerbahce and West Ham and Leicester in the league cup closing out their October.
