Manchester United stays in relegation zone after dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa

Manchester United recovered from two-goal deficits twice to rescue a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, scoring twice in stoppage time.

The match began with what The Guardian described as schoolboy defending from the hosts. Alysson scored for Aston Villa just 59 seconds into the game, and Nicolas Jackson doubled the lead after four minutes. Although Manchester United leveled the score before halftime through Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans, Villa pulled ahead again via a John McGinn penalty and a Leon Goretzka goal following an error by Leny Yoro.

United appeared headed for defeat until late substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu struck deep into added time. Dorgu's 96th-minute equalizer followed a corner where United goalkeeper Senne Lammens collided with Villa keeper Zion Suzuki. BBC Sport noted this was only the 29th time in Premier League history that both teams scored four goals in a single match.

Despite the comeback, Manchester United remains 18th in the Premier League table and is currently on an eight-game winless run in league play. News reported that this is the club's lowest position after 10 games since the 1986/87 season. During the match, fans in the Stretford End protested against the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, displaying a message that read, "Your funeral not ours, sell up."

Manager Michael Carrick told reporters he "expects" to remain in his post despite the club sitting in the relegation zone heading into the international break. While Villa manager Unai Emery expressed frustration that a foul was not called during the final equalizer, Carrick insisted his side showed enough quality to turn their season around. The Guardian reported that United has won only one league game all season.

Background

Manchester United entered the match following a midweek comeback victory against Roma in the Europa League. The draw against Villa extends a winless streak that has seen the club fall to a point from safety in the top flight.