Man Utd Player Ratings vs. Aston Villa: Carrick Teetering Despite Chaotic Comeback

Manchester United twice came from two goals behind as they clinched an astounding 4–4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, but the result still leaves enormous uncertainty over Michael Carrick’s future heading into the November international break.

An extraordinary comeback victory over Roma had bought Carrick at least one more match in the dugout, but the Red Devils were once again drenched in misery just four minutes into Villa’s visit. Quickfire goals from Alysson and Nicolas Jackson shocked the Old Trafford crowd, whose response was divided between stunned silence and defiant boos.

But, as was the case on Tuesday, Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot to kickstart an impressive United comeback. The hosts proceeded to bombard the Villa goal as they inched closer to a deserved equalizer, which was eventually provided by Youri Tielemans on the cusp of halftime as he lashed home against his former club.

However, history repeated itself early in the second period, as United conceded twice in quick succession courtesy of yet more dire defending. John McGinn restored Villa’s lead with an emphatic penalty, before a scrappy set piece was converted by Leon Goretzka to leave the home side in peril.

Another defeat seemed inevitable as United entered stoppage time with a two-goal deficit, but Patrick Dorgu inspired a remarkable turnaround. The substitute assisted Joshua Zirkzee and then headed home the equalizer from a corner, with the stalemate sparing Carrick’s blushes but leaving his team stuck in 18th place in the Premier League table.

United found themselves in familiar territory as Jackson wheeled away in celebration in just the fourth minute. For the fifth match in a row, they found themselves trailing by two goals—although admittedly quicker than usual.

Never had the Red Devils been two goals behind so early in a Premier League fixture, with yet more comical defending proving their undoing. The ease with which Villa sliced through their hosts for the opening goal was alarming, if familiar, and a costly mistake from Senne Lammens was a gift they desperately didn’t need to give away.

No matter the opponent, competition or stadium, United simply can’t stop conceding.

Remarkably, it was an almost identical story after the restart, too, with United conceding two shambolic goals in the first eight minutes of the second half. Diogo Dalot’s rash challenge handed Villa the penalty from which they retook the lead, after which some embarrassing defending allowed Goretzka the simplest of tap-ins.

Of course, Carrick must shoulder responsibility for United’s increasingly dismal defensive record, but his players are consistently making amateur errors which appear set to cost him his job. If the 45-year-old is finally replaced, his successor’s first task will be fixing an atrocious defense.

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Senne Lammens—5.3: Nutmegged for the opener and then parried directly into Jackson’s path for the second. Not for the first time this season, Lammens performed well beneath the standards he set during his debut season.

RB: Noussair Mazraoui—7.1: Assisted Tielemans’s strike. About the only positive he can take from another disastrous day for United’s defense—even if he wasn’t the worst of the bunch.

CB: Leny Yoro—5.9: Inexplicably headed toward his own top corner as Goretzka delivered Villa’s fourth of the match. An awful error which completely dented United.

CB: Harry Maguire—6.3: Made just two defensive contributions and completed only 74% of his passes before being withdrawn at halftime.

LB: Diogo Dalot—5.6: Couldn’t cope with the lively Alysson, which included failing to close him down properly as he fired Villa in front and then fouling him in the penalty area. Just dreadful from the fullback.

CM: Youri Tielemans—8.2: Drove home United’s leveler and created a series of opportunities with his passing from deep. Yet, his presence in midfield allowed Villa significant freedom on the counter attack.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo—8.1: Tried his best to glue United’s porous midfield and defense together. Simply can’t play alongside Tielemans, though.

RW: Amad Diallo—7.3: Spurned some promising chances during the first half and was anonymous after the break. The Ivorian was guilty of profligacy at Chelsea last weekend, too.

AM: Bruno Fernandes—8.7: Didn’t need a second bite at his spot kick on this occasion, calmly sending Zion Suzuki in the wrong direction. At the heart of United’s initial recovery, and supplied the assist for Dorgu’s header.

LW: Matheus Cunha—8.2: The midweek hero sparked United’s first-half resurgence with a powerful run which drew the penalty, and he was often his side’s most energetic attacking influence.

ST: Bryan Mbeumo—6.3: Completely isolated while leading the line, causing Villa’s defense absolutely no issues whatsoever.

SUB: Ayden Heaven (46’ for Maguire)—6.8: Couldn’t strengthen United’s misfiring backline.

SUB: Mason Mount (66’ for Tielemans)—6.6: Showed some fighting spirit at the very least.

SUB: Patrick Dorgu (66’ for Dalot)—8.3: Teed up Zirkzee with a fine cross and then proceeded to produce the equalizer with an unmarked header. What a cameo!

SUB: Shea Lacey (66’ for Amad)—6.3: Rarely involved.

SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (82‘ for Mbeumo)—N/A

Subs not used: Karl Darlow (GK), Matthijs de Ligt, Andrey Santos, Jack Fletcher.