Manchester United’s winless run in all competitions extended to five games after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, leaving manager Erik ten Hag’s position uncertain heading into a two-week international break.
Ten Hag arrived at Villa Park under huge pressure with United having lost three of its six league games and the club’s minority owner, Jim Ratcliffe, failing to say he had faith in the Dutch coach when asked specifically on Friday.
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Manchester United’s winless run in all competitions extended to five games after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, leaving manager Erik ten Hag’s position uncertain heading into a two-week international break.
Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood scores their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Chelsea's Noni Madueke celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Referee Robert Jones, center, speaks with Manchester United's Jonny Evans, left, and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag, second left, gives instructions to his players during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag, front, and Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery react during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
However creditable gaining a point at Villa is, it might still not be enough for Ten Hag — especially with United’s new leadership having two weeks to weigh up his future before the team’s next game. United is in 14th place in the 20-team league.
Playing in front of Ratcliffe and the rest of United’s hierarchy, the visitors came closest to scoring when Bruno Fernandes struck a free kick against the crossbar in the 68th.
Villa mostly dominated, four days after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Since a chastening 3-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend, United has earned draws at Porto in the Europa League and now at a revitalized Villa.
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest thanks to Noni Madueke’s equalizer in the 57th minute at Stamford Bridge.
Forest took the lead eight minutes earlier through Chris Wood and had to play with 10 men from the 78th after James Ward-Prowse’s sending-off after a second yellow card for diving on the ball with his hands to stop Nicolas Jackson launching a breakaway.
Tottenham was away to Brighton later Sunday.
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Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, center, looks out from the stands prior the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood scores their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Chelsea's Noni Madueke celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in London, Sunday Oct. 6, 2024. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Referee Robert Jones, center, speaks with Manchester United's Jonny Evans, left, and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag, second left, gives instructions to his players during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag, front, and Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery react during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Manchester United, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
