Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will hope a battling draw at Aston Villa will relieve the fierce scrutiny of his position.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag hopes a tough draw at Aston Villa will ease the scrutiny of his position.
The club’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was on hand at Villa Park to see United show at least some of the consistency they lacked in the home collapse against Tottenham and the defensive consistency Porto lacked in the Europa League .
The Ten Hag turned to veteran duo Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans to add steel, although they only lost the England defender to injury in the first half.
Marcus Rashford twice tested Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, while United captain Bruno Fernandes went closer with a second-half free-kick which deflected off the crossbar at the Holte End. Substitute Antony also forced Martinez into an acrobatic save from distance. Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana wasn’t too worried though as he managed to cleverly save a powerful shot from Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Ten Hag must now hope that Ratcliffe and the rest of Manchester United’s viewing hierarchy have seen enough to keep faith in the Dutchman, even if this draw means they are still five games without a win.