FOOTBALL – Manchester United head into the international break in the Premier League relegation zone but with some hope and pride restored after scoring twice in stoppage time to rescue a chaotic 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa yesterday.
Brighton & Hove Albion had earlier risen to second place in the Premier League standings with a 2-0 home victory over Brentford but it was another Old Trafford rollercoaster that ended as the big talking point of the weekend’s action.
Manager Michael Carrick, whose standing amongst the United faithful remains high despite a calamitous start to the league season, earned a boost in midweek as his side battled back from two goals down to beat AS Roma 3-2 in the Champions League.
Another rescue act looked beyond his team though as Villa, who had scored twice inside the opening five minutes only to be pegged back before halftime by a Bruno Fernandes penalty and an equaliser by Youri Tielemans, reasserted their dominance.
United crumbled early in the second half with Diogo Dalot conceding a needless penalty for a foul on Alysson and John McGinn firing home the 48th-minute spot kick.
Leon Goretzka then restored Villa’s two-goal lead five minutes later with a tap-in after sloppy United defending. But whatever the ills that have befallen the 20-times English champions, there is no denying their fighting spirit.
Joshua Zirkzee gave United late hope by slotting home in stoppage time before Patrick Dorgu headed in after Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki flapped at a corner.
The unlikely draw left United in 18th place with eight points, above Sunderland on goal difference after they claimed a first league win since August by beating Chelsea 1-0.
Crystal Palace slumped to the bottom after a 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool, who moved up to fourth.
Fabian Huerzeler’s Brighton are continuing to provide ample evidence to suggest their lofty position is not a false one and, while they were helped by Igor Thiago’s red card midway through the first half, they beat Brentford at a canter.
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