EPL: Man Utd fight back to draw 4-4 with Villa

Manchester United's Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's fourth goal to equalise, during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 8, 2026.

Manchester United rescued an incredible 4-4 draw against Aston Villa as two stoppage-time goals gave Michael Carrick renewed hope of avoiding the sack, while Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Sunderland on Sunday.

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.

Carrick wore a bewildered look on his face as he walked down the tunnel towards an uncertain future, with United next in action at Liverpool on November 22.

AFP