Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United: Battling draw relieves some pressure on Erik ten Hag | OneFootball

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in attendance at Villa Park to see United show some resilience

Erik ten Hag bought himself some time as Manchester United battled to a goalless draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Bruno Fernandes went closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the bar from a free-kick in the second half.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance alongside director Sir Dave Brailsford and CEO Omar Berrada for a game with few clear-cut chances.

Both sides started well with Marcus Rashford having an early shot saved by Emi Martinez.

Villa saw shots from both Jaden Philogene and Morgan Rogers drag wide, but looked under-par following their Champions League heroics against Bayern Munich in midweek.

United had a penalty claim waived away by VAR after Morgan Rogers handled the ball following a contest with Harry Maguire.

The visitors had three players booked during the first half, which ended with Harry Maguire limping off.

At the break Ten Hag brought on Matthijs de Ligt for Maguire and Victor Lindelof for Noussair Mazraoui.

Youri Tielemens had a good effort from distance for Villa but Andre Onana was equal to it.

Rashford had another good effort well saved by Martinez and then nearly saw red for two quick fouls.

Ten Hag reacted by taking off the England international, with Unai Emery bringing on supersub Jhon Duran.

Fernandes’s free-kick which hit the bar was United’s best chance in a game that lacked quality in the final third.

Philogene had a great chance late on to win it for Villa, but the points were shared.