Pressure continues to mount on Ten Hag after drab draw

Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager remains uncertain following a goalless draw with high-flying Aston Villa in the Premier League.

United are now without a win in five matches in all competitions, and without a goal in three league games, as pressure continues to mount on Ten Hag following a largely drab contest at Villa Park.

The result leaves United in 14th spot and marks their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign, while Villa, unbeaten in their last eight games, remain in fifth.

Unai Emery will perhaps be the happier of the two managers but United can take heart from what was a more assured defensive display after shipping three goals against both Spurs and Porto last week.

Full-Time: Stalemate at Villa Park! ❌ pic.twitter.com/1yLcpbpAhJ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 6, 2024

How it happened

Villa came into the game full of confidence after a memorable victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

But, despite the hosts benefitting from an extra day’s recovery, it was the visitors who started brightest when an error from the returning Matty Cash inside the opening five minutes presented Marcus Rashford with a chance to run at the Villa defence.

United’s number ten charged down on the penalty area, cutting in from the left before thrashing a right-footed shot that goalkeeper Emi Martinez had to palm away.

It was perhaps the best chance of an otherwise uneventful first half, one that saw Villa lose Ezri Konsa to what appeared to be a hamstring injury after just ten minutes.

The home side offered very little going forward early on, with their most promising moments coming via speculative efforts from distance.

First, Morgan Rogers, following some neat link-up play with Ollie Watkins, hit a shot that grazed the near-post side netting before Jaden Philogene, making only his third start in claret and blue, fizzed a wobble-ball that flew wide of the top corner.

However, it was United who…

Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/football/premier-league/aston-villa-0-0-manchester-united-pressure-continues-to-mount-on-ten-hag-after-drab-draw/

Author : George Nash

Publish date : 2024-10-06 15:41:51

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