Manchester United battled for a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa that may well have bought under-fire manager Erik ten Hag time to right the ship.
All eyes were on the Dutchman at Villa Park after their home humbling by Tottenham and Thursday’s problematic Europa League draw in Porto intensified talk about his place in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sidestepped a question about Ten Hag’s position in the build-up to the trip to Villa Park, where he watched on as United earned a point against Unai Emery’s in-form hosts.
The Red Devils only have two wins to show from their opening seven Premier League matches but Sunday felt like it alleviated some of the pressure that had been building ahead of the international break.
In truth, both sides underperformed having been involved in energy-sapping European matches, with Villa nothing like the side that beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Bruno Fernandes sent a second half free-kick off the bar as United sought a winner that so nearly went Villa’s way in stoppage time, only for Diogo Dalot to produce a key block on Jaden Philogene’s attempt.
Ten Hag made four alterations from the Porto draw, including the eye-catching defensive switch from Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez to Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire.
The United boss explained it was down to “rotation”, just as he did after withdrawing top performer Marcus Rashford midway through Thursday’s draw.
The 26-year-old made a bright start in the midlands, roaring forward after winning possession at the halfway line and cutting away from his man before forcing Emiliano Martinez into action with a thumping effort.
Villa soon had a chance of their own as Morgan Rogers made space under pressure from the impressive Evans and fizzing into the side-netting – an effort several thousand fans thought had found the back of the net.
Emery was forced into a 12th-minute defensive change as Diego Carlos replaced Ezri Konsa but the home side looked unaffected as an even start continued.
Philogene whistled narrowly wide from 25 yards after leaving Kobbie Mainoo for dead and Maguire saw penalty appeals for a handball by Rogers rejected after a brief VAR check.
United’s vociferous fans went through the songbook as their side enjoyed a period in the ascendancy, albeit without finding the final ball against an inhibited, or perhaps just tired, Villa.
Alejandro Garnacho saw a shot saved towards the break and Maguire had to be helped off by two United members of staff.
The centre-back had a ripped sock and was limping heavily after being hurt just before a half-time interval he did not return from. Nor did Noussair Mazraoui as De Ligt and Victor Lindelof came on.
Rashford saw a 20-yard drive tipped over when play resumed but Villa now looked far more of a threat.
Matty Cash fired off target and saw a cross cleared, with Youri Tielemans left free from the resulting corner and allowed to hit a 25-yard strike that Andre Onana did well to stop.
Ollie Watkins drove over from a difficult angle and was become a growing presence, with Wednesday’s hero Jhon Duran soon introduced alongside him to the delight of the Villa Park faithful.
United also made changes around this time, including withdrawing Rashford having rode his luck when catching Leon Bailey two minutes after being booked for a foul on Cash.
Ten Hag’s reshuffled side pushed for a breakthrough and went close in the 68th minute. Fernandes beat Martinez with a 24-yard free-kick that hit the bar, with substitute Antony slamming the rebound wide.
The Brazil winger saw a left-footed curler impressively held by Martinez and Villa were offering precious little by way of response.
However, they went close to a winner following a lengthy delay as referee Robert Jones got his communication equipment fixed.
Rogers drilled over a low cross to the back post, where Philogene got away a shot that Dalot crucially blocked.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
