United salvage dramatic draw in eight-goal thriller but stay 18th

What an unbelievable match it was at Old Trafford. In an eight-goal thriller, Manchester United avoided defeat by scoring twice in added time. Trailing 2-4, United denied Aston Villa victory through goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu. But even such a dramatic draw could not bring a smile to the face of United coach Michael Carrick, as his team remains 18th in the table, in the relegation zone.

The threat of the sack still hangs over Manchester United coach Michael Carrick. Another defeat might have rung his farewell bell before the international break. But in the six minutes of added time, two goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu somehow brought United back level and saved them. Yet the uncertainty over the coach’s future remains.

United, sitting in the relegation zone, are winless in their last eight Premier League matches. That leaves a big question over whether Carrick will be able to save his job in the end. After losing to Chelsea last week, he had been given some more time as the United board kept faith in him. In between, on Tuesday in the Champions League, the team ended a nine-match winless run by coming back from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2.

But United, with only three wins in 15 matches this season, suffered another disaster early on at home against Aston Villa, conceding two goals within the first four minutes.

In the first minute, Allison’s shot slipped through the hands of United goalkeeper Senne Lammens and into the net. Three minutes later, Nicolas Jackson tapped in the rebound from Lammens’ weak save to make it 2-0.

In the 16th minute, United won a penalty when Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha in the box. Captain Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to reduce the deficit. And in the 44th minute, former Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans’ powerful shot brought the Red Devils level.

Just after the break, in the 48th minute, Villa won a penalty when Diogo Dalot fouled Allison in the box. John McGinn made no mistake to put his team ahead again. In the 53rd minute, Leon Goretzka scored Villa’s fourth from close range after the ball struck the crossbar off United defender Leny Yoro.

Trailing 4-2 with defeat almost certain, the drama began in injury time. Zirkzee’s superb finish in added time raised United’s hopes. And in the final moments, Dorgu headed home the dramatic equaliser, taking advantage of Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s weak punch.

Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a big blow at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Despite coming into the match aiming for a top-four finish and Champions League football, the Blues had to leave defeated by bottom-of-the-table Sunderland. It was Sunderland’s second win of the whole season.

Under former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, fifth-placed Chelsea have now lost four of their ten Premier League matches.

On the other hand, Liverpool earned a welcome win by beating bottom side Crystal Palace 3-1. Before visiting Crystal Palace, the Reds had lost to Arsenal and Fenerbahce.

Continuing their superb start to the season, Brighton beat Brentford 2-0 at home and climbed to second in the table.