CRISTIANO RONALDO was forced to watch from the sidelines through injury as Man Utd threw away a two-goal lead at Aston Villa.
The Red Devils looked to have secured the points after a double from Bruno Fernandes, but capitulated late on.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has hit out at his club Borussia Dortmund for trying to force him into a quick decision on his future.
And Ralf Rangnick revealed after the draw in the Midlands that Anthony Martial didn't want to be in the squad for the game.
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- Kealan Hughes
Morning, United fans
Ralf Rangnick and Bruno Fernandes fumed after Manchester United surrendered a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
Fernandes twice punished Villa errors lethally but home debutant Philippe Coutinho notched an assist and a goal in a brilliant late cameo.
That left the Red Devils still seventh, with interim boss Rangnick admitting it was ‘very difficult to find positives’.
He told Sky Sports: “I felt it was the best game since I came here, in the first half for 30 minutes we dominated.
“When you are 2-0 up you have to defend better than we did in the last 15 minutes. We gave away too many balls.
"It feels like a defeat, to be honest.”
And two-goal midfielder Fernandes was even more blunt.
He told Sky: “I’m not happy at all, obviously everyone is happy to score goals but I prefer to win.
“I prefer to take away my two goals and have someone else score and win the game than to score myself.
“But today makes no sense because we just get one point and we want to get the three.”
Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves are reportedly preparing to terminate Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri's loan from United early.
- Ian Tuckey
Ralf: Martial REFUSED to be in squad
Ralf Rangnick has sensationally revealed that wantaway forward Anthony Martial REFUSED to be involved in the squad to face Aston Villa.
The Red Devils dropped more ground in the race for the top four after blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against the Villans on Saturday evening.
United were without Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford for the clash in the Midlands due to injury.
And with Martial unwilling to feature for the club, United were forced to hand youngster Anthony Elanga his first start of the Premier League season.
Having ruled himself out of travelling with his team-mates, United had to name just eight substitutes – including two goalkeepers.
Martial has let it be known to interim boss Rangnick that he wishes to depart the Theatre of Dreams this month as Sevilla look to secure his services.
The 26-year-old continues to push for a move away with Rangnick declaring the player has no interest in pulling on the United shirt.
Speaking of his absence following the disappointing result against Villa, the German gaffer said: "He didn't want to be in the squad.
- Ian Tuckey
Fuming Fernandes
Manchester United hero Bruno Fernandes declared he's 'not happy at all' after his side threw away a two-goal lead against Aston Villa.
The Red Devils looked to be heading for a 2-0 win at Villa Park with the Portuguese midfielder scoring in either half.
But Ralf Rangnick's side had to settle for a point after the Midlands outfit scored two late goals through Jacob Ramsey and debutant Philippe Coutinho.
The result leaves United in danger of missing out on Champions League football for next season as they sit in seventh spot in the Premier League.
Victory against Villa would have seen United close the gap on fourth-placed West Ham to three points.
It's now just one win in their last four top-flight matches, and Fernandes has taken a leaf out of Cristiano Ronaldo's book by hitting out at his team-mates.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the 27-year-old said: "I'm not happy at all, obviously everyone is happy to score goals and I'm one of them too, but I prefer to win the game.
"I prefer to take away my two goals and have someone else score and win the game than to score myself.
"Anyway, of course I'm really happy to score, I want to score goals, I want to try to help the team, and I think if I score I can help the team.
"But today makes no sense because we just get one point and we want to get the three."
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils still rely on Bruno
MAN UTD VERDICT: Manchester United were convinced they had three points in the bag thanks to a Bruno Fernandes double – until Steven Gerrard sent for his 'little magician!', writes GRAME BRYCE.
And hey presto, stellar signing Philippe Coutinho lived up to his nickname by pulling a rabbit out of the hat to stun United on his Villa debut.
Ralf Rangnick reacts to Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa
The 29-year-old Brazilian somehow conjured up two late Villa goals in a sensational 22-minute cameo performance, as he made Villa's first goal for Jacob Ramsey before scoring a dramatic late equaliser to snatch a point.
That left ecstatic Villa fans licking their lips at the prospect of what Coutinho could be capable of over 90 minutes when he returns to full fitness.
Meanwhile United fans left licking their wounds – on a day when their own world class superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out through injury.
Even the most pessimistic United fan must have thought they were home and dry when Gerrard sent on Coutinho in what appeared to be his last throw of the dice.
Most of them were still busy cheering Fernandes's second strike, seconds earlier when the Portuguese midfielder burst through Villa's defence to lash a shot in off the underside of Emi Martinez's crossbar for his seventh goal of the season.
At that point the visitors seemed to be cruising to three deserved points after a much improved display.
United will kick themselves for taking their eye off the prize after being handed the perfect start at their favourite away ground.
And prhaps Cristiano Ronaldo was right and there is a soft centre to this United team, who should never have surrendered two late goals … Coutinho or no Coutinho!
READ OUR FULL MAN UTD VERDICT HERE
- Ian Tuckey
Fernandes: We were in control
Bruno Fernandes insisted Manchester United were in control – before Aston Villa cnacelled out his two goals for a 2-2 stalemate.
He told Sky Sports: "We got into the perfect position to score more goals and take the third goal and finish the game, but we don’t get our chance on the counters and gave the chances to them.
"They have good players up front and draw the game, it is tough to take because I think the game was under control.
Credit: PA "After our first goal they began to press us more, but still we had our chances and could have scored again.
"They got more space between the lines, with the quality of players they have up front, they hurt you.
"The performance was better than the result, more controlled but the main point is winning games and points. We deserved more.. We still have a lot to improve."
- Ian Tuckey
Ralf: Tough to find positives
Ralf Rangnick admitted it was 'very difficult to find positives' after Aston Villa's 2-2 comeback draw robbed two-goal Manchester United hero Bruno Fernandes of victory.
Interim United boss Rangnick told Sky Sports: "I felt it was the best game since I came here, in the first half for 30 minutes we dominated the game.
"We had taken took some steps forward but have a few things to do better.
"The plan was to press them in the midzone and we did that very well in the first 30 minutes, and control the ball, and those were the positives. When you are 2-0 up you have to defend better than we did in the last 15 minutes.
"We gave away too many balls at times in the last 15 minutes, we were not as compact as before and conceded the two goals. In the last 15 minutes before half time we were not as courageous to step up.
"It was better in the second half and then you have to take the three points home. It feels like a defeat, to be honest."
- Ian Tuckey
Sky cut to ads DURING Utd game
Armchair Manchester United and Aston Villa fans fumed as Sky Sports went to an advert break DURING the tense finale to the 2-2 draw.
As the match entered stoppage time, coverage of the clash suddenly disappeared and was replaced by some unplanned ads.
After less than a minute the game came back on and viewers had not missed anything of note.
But it still left football fans beside themselves as puzzled Sky viewers took to social media.
One said: "Sky going to adverts during an injury in Villa v Man Utd. That better not be a thing now."
While another added: "Sky have put adverts mid game??? What are they doing?"
Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones was then forced to apologise for the technical issue at full-time.
He said: "Really apologise if you were watching that on Sky Sports Main Event and we lost you for a couple of minutes due to a technical hitch."
- Ian Tuckey
Utd sub ratings
Jadon Sancho (for Elanga, 78) – 5
Came on a minute after Villa had pulled one back – so was never the ideal time.
Donny van de Beek (for Fernandes, 88)
N/A
Jesse Lingard (for Greenwood, 88)
N/A
Substitutes (not used): Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Juan Mata, Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson.
- Ian Tuckey
Rest of the Utd team rated
Anthony Elanga – 8
Boss Rangnick says he was close to starting the winger against Villa in the FA Cup – this time he gave the Swede his big chance.
And he didn't disappoint. United will love to see a winger show the confidence to charge at the opposition full-back.
Edinson Cavani – 6
His movement gave Villa defenders all sorts of problems in the first half.
But compared to his usual high-level performance, the Uruguayan was somewhat subdued up top.
- Ian Tuckey
More Red Devils ratings
Nemanja Matic – 6
Came in for the suspended Scott McTominay, and must have enjoyed the first half where he controlled the midfield.
Had to be disciplined in the second half on a yellow card as Villa threw everything forward.
Mason Greenwood – 7
Seemed to have a free role in the first half, starting out wide right, then switching to the left before coming more inside.
Buzzed around to prove a constant threat to the Villa backline.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Big chance to prove his worth with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo missing with injury – and got off to a flier with a clever strike that Martinez spilled into his own goal.
Things got even better for the Portuguese star when he finished brilliantly to make it 2-0, and the smile was back on his face.
- Ian Tuckey
Utd ratings continued
Rafael Varane – 7
On his top form, you can see exactly what the Frenchman brings to the team.
Confident on the ball and just has that presence that sadly captain Maguire doesn't seem to have right now. But guilty of ball-watching as Coutinho netted the equaliser.
Alex Telles – 6
Struggled to usurp Luke Shaw from the left-back role, but it seems Rangnick likes something in the 29-year-old Brazilian.
Clever with his little touch on the free-kick that saw Fernandes score the opener.
Fred – 6
Started off neat and tidy, but as the game wore on saw him becoming more ragged in his positioning as Villa pushed for an equaliser.
Got an assist for Fernandes' second – so decent enough there – but then undid that work by prodding the ball straight to Villa's Jacob Ramsey to score his team's goal.
- Ian Tuckey
United ratings at Villa
David De Gea – 8
Stunning save on 35 minutes when he denied Emi Buendia at point blank range from a corner.
He was there again to deny a certain equaliser on 47 minutes to parry out Jacob Ramsey's effort. Untouchable at the moment.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Still hard to work out whether the Italian has a future at Old Trafford. Looks tidy enough but doesn't offer enough offensively when attacking.
Was penned in anyway in second half, where he did a solid enough job on Villa's wingers.
Victor Lindelof – 7
Looked a lot more assured next to Varane – which is worrying for Harry Maguire.
Comfortable bringing the ball out, and won his aerial battles when needed.
- Ian Tuckey
F/t: Aston Villa 2 Man Utd 2
Sub Philippe Coutinho bagged an instant assist and goal on his debut in Villa’s stirring fightback from 2-0 down to a Bruno Fernandes double.
Villa handed Fernandes both goals before their deserved comeback draw kept United in seventh place.
FOLLOW ALL THE REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Cout on me
Philippe Coutinho has already done better in 20 minutes for Villa against Manchester United than he did for Liverpool in five years.
That's according to these bare stats anyway…
- Ian Tuckey
Coutinho magic! Aston Villa 2 Man Utd 2
Sub Philippe Coutinhoteed up Jacob Ramsey to ram Villa back in it – and four minutes later levelled it himself at 2-2
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Latest: Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 2
Two Villa mistakes, two Bruno Fernandes goals.
This time Fred teed up Fernandes to thunder home off the bar on 69 minutes to give United a flattering two-goal lead.
On came Villa's vaunted new signing Philippe Coutinho.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
H/t: Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 1
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Latest: Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 1
Villa keeper Emi Martinez's blunder handed Bruno Fernandes a sixth-minute United opener.
Edinson Cavani later gave United an injury scar.
But the striker soon returned as the Red Devils possibly look better without injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Karim: Utd aces must change for Ron
Karim Benzema has told Manchester United players they must adapt to Cristiano Ronaldo's style.
Benzema says he learnt to give Ronaldo space at Real Madrid.
Credit: Getty But since Ron left for Juventus before returning to Old Trafford, Benzema claims he has switched from goal maker to taker.
The 33-year-old told France Football: Benzema told France Football: "When he played for Real Madrid he scored between 50 and 60 goals a season.
"So you have to adapt to this reality. I had to move more on the pitch, give him space.
"When he left, what changed was that it was my turn to take over; to score goals and to provide assists to my other teammates.
"I've taken over in my own way and it's going well."
"I don't play like Cristiano Ronaldo and he doesn't play like Karim Benzema,” added the 33-year-old.
"When Cristiano Ronaldo was at the club, I was more the one who created more goals and he the one who finished but now I have changed."
- Ian Tuckey
It's under way: Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 0
United kicked off in today's final Prem game.
Here are the teams:-
Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Sanson, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Ings, Watkins.
Subs: Steer, Kesler Hayden, Hause, Targett, Young, Iroegbunam, Chukwuemeka, Coutinho, Archer.
Man Utd: De Gea, Alex Telles, Varane, Lindelof, Dalot, Fred, Elanga, Matic, Bruno Fernandes, Greenwood, Cavani.
Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Maguire, Jones, Lingard, Mata, van de Beek, Sancho.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION ON OUR MATCH BLOG
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils should take a Pott on Graham
Arsenal legend Paul Merson reckons United should make Graham Potter their new boss.
The Red Devils have been linked with several foreign managers but Merson thinks they should be looking closer to home.
He said on Sky Sports: “If I was Man United I’d be watching Potter, why not go for him?”
- Justin Lawrence
Ronaldo and Rashford OUT of United squad
Ronaldo is OUT of Manchester United's Premier League game at Aston Villa.
The 36-year-old has not recovered from a thigh injury, after SunSport exclusively revealed he left training early because of it.
Marcus Rashford will also miss the game with the out-of-form forward given a break.
Ronaldo missed Monday’s 1-0 FA Cup third round victory over Villa with a hip injury.
But this is a separate problem picked up in training at Carrington yesterday.
Ronaldo was looked at by United’s medical specialists before driving home where he will make use of his own private oxygen chamber he has had put in his house.
It aids recovery from injury by breathing pure air directly into blood plasma which repairs any damaged tissue.
But it has not worked to get him fit for the Villa clash.
- Justin Lawrence
'I'm worried for Rashford'
Former England striker Lianne Sanderson reckons Rashford may need a move away from United as he doesn't look himself.
While revealing she's abit worried for Rashford, she also feels his team-mate Lingard should seek a transfer.
Sanderson said on talkSPORT: “Right now, Marcus Rashford looks like he needs an arm round him. He isn’t playing well. He doesn’t look himself. And he doesn’t look happy.
I feel a little worried about him at this moment in time, like, in himself.
“Yes, when you have a dip in form it does affect everything you’re doing. We saw him send out a tweet the other week, I think he said he knows he’s not been good enough.
“When you’re in that situation you feel like you keep drowning and drowning. He looks like he doesn’t want the next game to come. He looks like he’s in a really bad place.
“I’m not making excuses for him but I would be mindful of people getting on his back.
“I sent a tweet out about him not looking himself because I do think people make excuses, especially for English players, a lot of excuses are made. But he doesn’t look himself.
“Maybe, is he the player we all thought he would be? Was it too much too soon? Has he ever been as good as everyone thinks he is?”
And when asked abiut Lingard, she said: "I think a move away, at some point, might be good for him as well."
- Justin Lawrence
Villa take on United
Aston Villa host Man Utd tonight looking for revenge following their FA Cup defeat to the Red Devils on Monday.
Steven Gerrard's side were unfortunate at Old Trafford and come into this Premier League clash on looking to end a run of three-straight defeats.
United meanwhile lost out to Wolves in their last top-flight match and need three points to keep up in the race for Europe.
- Justin Lawrence
Neville slams Prem bosses
United legend Gary Neville has hit out at the Premier League for postponing Arsenal’s game against Tottenham.
Neville thinks teams don’t want to play matches as they haven’t got their best squads – not because of Covid absences.
He wrote on Twitter: “Game off. What started out as postponements due to a pandemic has now become about clubs not having their best team.”
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