5 talking points from Aston Villa vs Man United

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United tightened up defensively to claim a point at Villa Park but questions remain over the manager.

The biggest flashpoint concerned Marcus Rashford, who was booked shortly before the hour mark for a late challenge on Matty Cash, and tripped Leon Bailey just two minutes later.

Fortunately for the United number 10, referee Rob Jones kept his cards in his pocket second time round..

The visitors weren’t forced to play with 10 men for a second straight league game after Bruno Fernandes ‘ red against Tottenham and United almost capitalised as Fernandes – whose suspension from last weekend was overturned – struck the crossbar with a free-kick.

Ultimately, though, neither side was able to find a goal in a drab encounter.

What this means for manager Ten Hag is another matter. United will return to action against Brentford on October 19, with the international break giving co-owner Ratcliffe time to make up his mind if to keep the Dutch manager or not.

United boss Ten Hag found himself under pressure going into the game after his United side conceded three times in each of their last two outings.

He responded to Thursday’s draw with Porto by leaving out Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in favour of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.

Rashford had a chance to open the scoring with less than five minutes on the clock but put his powerful effort too close to Emi Martinez.

The opening half-hour didn’t bring many chances for either side, though Morgan Rogers flashed one effort just wide of Andre Onana’s left-hand post.

Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park to run the rule over under-pressure manager Ten Hag, and got a good look at nothing much.

Here are Diaspora Digital Media‘s talking points from a game of little goalmouth drama.

1. United’s ‘rotation’ decision in focus

Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher cast doubt on Erik ten Hag’s explanation for dropping De Ligt and Martinez to the bench. “You don’t rotate centre-backs. They’ve been dropped,” the former Liverpool man said.

Evans impressed in the first half, showing good strength to snuff out danger from Ollie Watkins on the edge of the box.

Maguire found things a little tougher, though, picking up a yellow card before being forced off injured at the break.

De Ligt entered the fray, with Victor Lindelof also introduced for Noussair Mazraoui. De Ligt was almost punished late on for some poor defending, but a Diogo Dalot block stopped Jaden Philogene from punishing the Dutchman.

2. Villa dealt another injury blow

The international break appears to be coming at a good time for Aston Villa, who will hope they can welcome back some injured players after the brief interlude.

Unai Emery was already without seven senior stars for Sunday’s game, with Amadou Onana one of the big losses, and Ezri Konsa was forced off early with what looked like hamstring trouble.

Konsa was forced off injured against United

Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn were also unavailable, meaning a midfield pivot of Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley was deployed for the first time in the Premier League.

Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are closing in on returns, with both playing 45 minutes for the Under-21s during the week.

If Emery can welcome the pair back into the fold before the end of October, it would make things look rather better for the boss.

3. Duran can’t repeat heroics
Jhon Duran’s winner against Bayern Munich wasn’t enough to earn him a start against Manchester United.

The Colombian was forced to put his super-sub credentials to the test once more when he entered in the 62nd minute.

This time, Emery opted to play Duran through the middle with Ollie Watkins rather than in the England man’s stead. There was no instant impact this time, though.

Former Chicago Fire star Duran has been attempting to make the case for more starts under Emery.

However, he’ll surely have to appreciate this wasn’t the best audition.

4. Rashford showing flashes before big let-off
Marcus Rashford’s goal against Porto in midweek suggested he’s starting to get his mojo back.

Not the finish, which Diogo Costa ought to have saved, but rather the piercing run to set up the chance.

The England international appeared to have gained confidence from the effort, and was at the centre of some of United’s bigger early chances.

He stung the palms of Emi Martinez in the first half, and was inches away from beating the Villa keeper early in the second.

Rashford was clearly up for the game, but perhaps a bit too up for it.

Moments after picking up a yellow card, he risked an immediate second booking for illegally stopping an attack down the Villa right, and Ten Hag instantly took him out of the firing line.

5. Has Ten Hag done enough?

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the stands, there was nowhere for Erik ten Hag to hide. The co-owner’s comments earlier in the week made uncomfortable reading for the manager, just months after getting Ratcliffe’s backing.

We didn’t get a repeat of the scarily open United side which gave up three goals against Tottenham and Porto.

However, it’s unclear how much of that was down to Ten Hag’s approach and how much could be attributed to a tired and depleted Villa not being able to find top geat.

United now have a fortnight before their next match, with an international break in between.

Plenty of time for the club’s higher-ups to decide what lies ahead for the manager after a third straight league game without scoring and a return of eight points from seven games – United’s worst in the Premier League era.

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