Manchester United played out a cagey goalless draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park to ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag in front of watching part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Dire defensive displays against Tottenham and Porto had left Ten Hag under scrutiny but he responded by dropping Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans and an improved showing followed, albeit without offering much in attack.
Maguire had to go off with a leg injury at half-time but the 36-year-old Evans continued to impress as Villa, showing signs of fatigue following their famous Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, struggled to break them down.
Morgan Rogers fired wide in the first half and Youri Tielemans forced a save from Andre Onana after the break but it was United who went closest to scoring, with Bruno Fernandes, available after his red card against Spurs was overturned, crashing a free-kick off the bar.
There was a let-off for United when Marcus Rashford avoided a second yellow card for a trip on Leon Bailey in the second half, and a low-quality game finally opened up in stoppage time when Diogo Dalot made a goal-line block from Jaden Philogene and Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden chance to put Fernandes through on goal.
Harry Maguire had to come off injured at half-time
The draw extends United’s winless run to five games in all competitions and ensures they have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, having taken only eight points from seven games, but the battling display should at least earn Ten Hag a reprieve going into the international break.
Ten Hag’s side remain in 14th place in the Premier League, while Villa fall three points behind third-placed Arsenal in fifth place.
Ten Hag: We showed personality and spirit
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag to Sky Sports:
“We had very good organisation and very good personality in the team. Resilient, determined. So it was a very good spirit as a team.
“We almost didn’t concede a chance. When you defend like this, you can have some luck, like in the end with the big chance at the back post.
“But that was almost the only chance they had. We had some control in possession. We created some chances, although not so many.
“It was really balanced. We hit the bar and a good chance for Rashy. But the two teams were really balanced.”
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insisted he has the backing of the club’s owners after the draw with Aston Villa
On Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s presence at Villa Park: “We always speak. Every week we speak.
“We are all on board, all together, on one page. We know what we are working towards.
“It’s a long-term project and we have to keep improving the process.
“We had two very tough away games and we showed the belief and the spirit that we have.”
On the injuries to Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui: “We had to take them off at half-time. Tomorrow we have to see what is the diagnosis on it.”
Emery: We lacked energy, draw a fair result
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to Sky Sports:
“It’s not the best result but it’s not the worst. With how we played in the first half and second half, I think the draw could be fair for both teams.
“At the end, we had two good chances to score. Maybe that was the key moment to beat them. But in the 90 minutes we missed some energy.
“I’m happy because the draw was not the worst result. In the second half, we corrected some tactical things and we controlled things better.”
Evans: It wasn’t perfect but it’s a good point
Man Utd defender Jonny Evans to Sky Sports:
“It wasn’t perfect and we didn’t pass as well as we’d like to. But it’s a point away from home against a good side.
“We wanted to make sure we didn’t concede and we almost won it at the end.
“They have good players so you’re never comfortable. You always have to be on your toes. We did well.
“I still feel like I’ve got a bit of speed in the legs. I just play the same way.
“The manager told me after the game the other night I would be starting but I wasn’t even expecting to come on against Porto.
“I just enjoy every moment and try to make the most of it.”
