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Bruno Fernandes converting a penalty for Man United. Alamy
From The 42All Square
Man United rally twice to rescue a point after thriller with Aston Villa
Goals in stoppage time from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu secured a 4-4 draw for Michael Carrick’s side.
Man United 4
Aston Villa 4
MANCHESTER UNITED TWICE came from two goals down to salvage a remarkable 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday and potentially save manager Michael Carrick’s job.
Goals in stoppage time from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu rescued a point, but United will spend a two-week international break in the relegation zone.
United boss Carrick was seconds away from heading into the international break on the back of another devastating defeat that would surely have led to his dismissal.
But Carrick’s side struck twice in the six minutes of additional time through Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu to leave their manager’s future still uncertain.
United are in the relegation zone and have not won in their last eight Premier League matches, so it is far from sure that Carrick will survive the axe.
He had earned a stay of execution when United’s hierarchy allowed him to remain in charge despite last weekend’s loss at Chelsea.
United responded by ending a nine-match winless run in all competitions as they came from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
But United, who have only three wins in 15 games this season, were back in turmoil when they fell 2-0 down against Villa in the first four minutes at Old Trafford.
Alysson struck in the first minute with a shot that squirmed under United keeper Senne Lammens.
Nicolas Jackson slotted in the second three minutes later after a weak save from Lammens pushed the ball into his path.
Bruno Fernandes got one back with a 16th-minute penalty after Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha before former Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans slammed in United’s 44th-minute equaliser.
Villa’s John McGinn converted a 48th-minute penalty following Diogo Dalot’s clumsy challenge on Alysson.
Leon Goretzka poked in Villa’s fourth from close-range after United’s Leny Yoro headed against his own crossbar in the 53rd minute.
Yet Zirkzee’s stoppage-time finish gave United hope and Dorgu headed their dramatic equaliser in the final seconds after a weak punch from Villa keeper Zion Suzuki.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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