Manchester United v Aston Villa FC - Premier League 2026/27 - Source: Getty
Manchester United v Aston Villa FC - Premier League 2026/27 - Source: Getty
Patrick Dorgu headed Manchester United level in the sixth minute of stoppage time and delivered a blunt message to his teammates after the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa. The Danish wing-back came off the bench on Sunday and struck with the last touch of a chaotic afternoon at Old Trafford.
It was a mess of United's own making. Alysson scored inside the opening minute, with his shot squeezing under Senne Lammens. Nicolas Jackson punished another goalkeeping error in the fourth minute to make it 2-0 for the visitors.
Bruno Fernandes halved the deficit from the spot in the 16th minute after Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha. Youri Tielemans, who started against his former club, levelled from Noussair Mazraoui's cutback two minutes before the break.
Villa were two clear again within eight minutes of the restart. Diogo Dalot brought down Alysson and John McGinn converted the penalty before Leon Goretzka prodded in a fourth in the 53rd after a free-kick was not cleared.
Joshua Zirkzee, another substitute, pulled one back in the 92nd minute from Dorgu's pass. The Dane headed in Fernandes' corner four minutes later, finishing with a goal and an assist during just 24 minutes on the pitch.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Dorgu admitted he isn't happy with the result despite his heroics. He urged his Manchester United teammates to have a look at themselves and get out of this woeful run by fighting together.
Dorgu stated:
"I don't feel happy - we are in a bad situation. We need to fight together to get out of it. Draw better than a loss but we had the better opportunities.
"Everyone needs to look at themselves and ask if they are doing enough. We need to fight for the manager, for the club and get out of this together.
"Of course it hurts [to be in relegation zone], there's a lot of games and we need everyone to come back sharp from international break and start getting wins."
The point leaves United 18th in the table with just eight points from 10 games, one adrift of safety, and still without a Premier League win since August.
Michael Carrick hails Dorgu's impact but admits Manchester United must tighten up
After Dorgu's header turned a likely defeat into a point, Carrick was quick to credit him. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the Red Devils' manager said:
"It's good to have him and we've been careful with how we use him. He came on and made a difference."
Carrick also added that Manchester United must tighten up at the back to improve the position they find themselves in at the moment. He added:
"We need to improve the position we're in, of course, we do. If we tighten up, there are a lot of things we can take forward from the last three games for sure."
Asked on Sky Sports whether he would consider walking away from the job, Carrick replied:
"That's not going to happen."
Manchester United next face Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday, November 22.