If you left early, we’re sorry. Manchester United were 2–0 down to Aston Villa before most of Old Trafford had found their seats – Alysson scored inside a minute and Nicolas Jackson made it two on four – the earliest they have ever trailed by two in a Premier League game. Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and Youri Tielemans’ strike just before half-time dragged it back to 2–2, and for a few minutes it felt like the old place was rocking again.
Then it all went wrong again. A John McGinn penalty three minutes after the restart and a scrambled Leon Goretzka fourth on 53 minutes put Villa 4–2 up, and many supporters headed for the exits. They missed the lot. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee swept in on 92 minutes, and with the last action of the afternoon Patrick Dorgu, another off the bench, headed in from a corner in the 96th minute. Final score: 4–4.
It’s a point, not a cure – Manchester United are still in the relegation zone after ten games, without a league win since August, and head coach Michael Carrick admitted his side keep giving away “totally avoidable” goals. But two comebacks in one game? That’s pure terrace folklore.
