Manchester United’s recent 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park may not typically satisfy the club’s supporters. Traditionally, a team of United’s caliber would be disheartened by such a result, especially at a venue like Villa Park. However, considering the circumstances of this season and Aston Villa’s strong form, earning a point in this match has turned out to be significant.
Manager Erik ten Hag is under considerable strain, as data shows this season represents United’s worst start to a league campaign since the 1989-90 season, a year filled with turmoil for Sir Alex Ferguson. Yet, the fact that United managed a clean sheet—especially after several matches where they conceded three goals—provides some optimism for progress.
Despite this defensive success, United is still struggling to score, having failed to net in four of their last five Premier League games. Ten Hag has noted that he will only be genuinely worried if his team stops creating scoring chances. Interestingly, during the match against Villa, United had more shots on target than their opponents, indicating they can still create opportunities, albeit with low conversion rates.
In light of this match, we can examine the standout and disappointing players, guided by player ratings from 90min.
In a surprising development, 36-year-old Jonny Evans stood out as Manchester United’s best player against Aston Villa, especially given his return to the team. Ten Hag made the bold choice to bench Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, who had struggled in a recent 3-3 draw against Porto. Evans partnered with Harry Maguire in central defense, though Maguire had to exit due to injury at half-time. Nonetheless, Evans continued to perform well.
His dependability has unexpectedly made him a crucial figure in United’s defense. Notably, Evans was brought back to the club on a short-term deal during the 2023 pre-season just to add depth. His leadership in such a key match highlights his remarkable comeback.
After a lackluster showing in the previous week’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Diogo Dalot deserves credit for his resilience against Villa. The Portuguese full-back displayed determination, winning tackles and making it challenging for Villa to create scoring chances. With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia unavailable, Dalot has stepped up, playing out of position and contributing solidly to the team.
Joshua Zirkzee, who joined United for £34 million as an international forward, was expected to have a significant impact in matches like this. With Rasmus Hojlund still recovering from injury and having only two starts since his return, Zirkzee was anticipated to inject fresh energy into the attack when he came on as a substitute. Unfortunately, his performance was lackluster. In his 26 minutes on the field, Zirkzee had just eight touches and lost possession four times. While the lack of service contributed to his underwhelming display, he needed to be more assertive when he did have the ball.
Despite scoring on his debut in August, Zirkzee has now gone nine matches without being involved in a goal, raising concerns about his current form and contributions.
Several other United players in creative roles also struggled to make an impact, despite showing flashes of quality. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Christian Eriksen, and Rasmus Hojlund have all proven their capabilities in the past but failed to deliver the necessary performance in this match.
In conclusion, while the draw at Villa Park may not align with Manchester United’s ambitions, it represents a valuable point in the context of the season. Challenges persist, particularly in the attacking area, but there are signs of resilience in certain players, like Jonny Evans, who provide hope for the future.
