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Dalot Toils as Four More Struggle - Man Utd Players Rated and Slated After Aston Villa Loss

Alfie Cairns Culshaw is a football journalist covering the Premier League for GIVEMESPORT. Alfie joined the company in May 2024 and is an avid Arsenal fan and season ticket holder.  He has previously worked for  where he focused on Liverpool and Manchester United, covering transfers, match reports, previews, and more. He also creates YouTube content, discussing Arsenal in depth, and provides tactical insights and analysis on his weekly podcasts. Producing video and audio content for a number of years, Alfie has also built up an Arsenal Blog, ammasing over 59,000 followers on Instagram and regular readers to his website.  Alongside his own personal blog and Sport Bible work, Alfie has previously produced video content for YouTube channel CheekySport, and written for The Football Faithful. While he enjoys the more emotional component of following the game as a fan, Alfie is renowned for having a level head and providing data-led analysis. 

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Manchester United will spend the entire international break in the relegation zone after drawing 4-4 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Villa stormed out the blocks, stunning Old Trafford by establishing a two-goal lead inside the opening four minutes. First, Alysson swept the ball underneath Senne Lammens after John McGinn had found the Brazilian in space in the box. Then, Lammens spilt the first goalscorer's effort into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who tapped home from close range.

The Red Devils fought back, reducing the deficit to one goal when Bruno Fernandes converted from 12 yards, after Bounacar Kamara was adjudged to have brought Matheus Cunha down inside Villa's penalty area. This goal sparked Michael Carrick's outfit into life, dominating much of the rest of the first half. While they were largely limited to speculative long-range efforts, the home side did create a clear-cut opportunity for Amad Diallo shortly before the break, but the Ivorian was unable to finish after being slipped in by Youri Tielemans.

However, the equaliser did come moments later on the stroke of half-time when Noussair Marzaoui's cutback found Tielemans, who powered beyond a hapless Zion Suzuki.

Unai Emery's team started the second half just as they did the first, on the front foot and hungry for a lead. They were awarded a spot kick two minutes after the interval when Diogo Dalot tripped Alysson inside United's box. John McGinn made no mistake with the ensuing penalty, emphatically smashing the ball past Lammens to re-establish Villa's advantage.

The mountain got bigger for United to climb five minutes later as Leon Goretzka tapped in on the goal line following a bizarre backwards header from Yoro. This goal looked to have killed the game, which faded into a lull in the final half an hour as Villa attempted to preserve their lead.

Joshua Zirkzee gave United hope late on, tucking home nicely from a Patrick Dorgu pullback, before the Dane dramatically drew the Red Devils level with a header in the final minute. The result sees Carrick's outfit enter the international break in the bottom three, only spared the embarrassment of being rock bottom by a single point.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa Statistics

Man Utd

Stat

Aston Villa

56%

Possession

44%

26

Shots

12

3.55

Expected Goals

2.88

3

Big Chances

2

44

Touches in Opposition Box

17

8

Corners

1

Man Utd's Defence Wilts Again

senne lammens manchester united

Senne Lammens - E

Extremely questionable roles in both of Villa's early goals, the Belgian's fragility doesn't exude confidence.

Noussair Mazraoui - C+

Having primarily used Leny Yoro at right-back in recent matches, United benefited from having a more natural full-back on this side in this game. The Moroccan got up and down, and produced an inch-perfect cutback for Tielemans' goal.

Leny Yoro - D-

The young defender was all at sea for Villa's second goal, first producing a poor headed clearance before failing to push up and subsequently playing Jackson onside.

He wasn't much better for Villa's fourth goal, bizarrely opting to head the ball towards his own goal before Goretzka ultimately tapped home.

Harry Maguire - B-

After a rough opening 15 minutes for the Englishman, in which he looked visibly ruffled by Villa's brazen start, he settled into the game. Sweeping up well several times, he guided a rocked Yoro through the rest of the first half before he was forced off at the break with an injury.

Diogo Dalot - F

The Portuguese has faced constant criticism this season, lambasted for his defensive deficiencies and his wastefulness in the final third. He did little to silence the critics in this game.

Arguably at fault for the opening goal, he failed to get across to block Alysson's shot despite McGinn's pass to the Brazilian lacking pace. He was then culpable for Villa's third, carelessly tripping the Brazilian winger to give away a penalty.

Carrick's Attack Isn't Good Enough to Outweigh Defensive Issues

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes points vs Chelsea
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Kobbie Mainoo - C+

The United academy graduate was surprisingly astute defensively, snapping into tackles to prevent Villa from running at his team's vulnerable backline.

However, his passing was largely tame and conservative, failing to aid United's ball progression.

Youri Tielemans - D+

He's a huge part of United's soft underbelly in midfield, but he also contributed to Carrick's side's first half comeback with several moments of ingenuity in advanced areas, including for his goal.

Ultimately, however, his lack of athleticism and defensive awareness continues to be a problem in a midfield that also contains Fernandes.

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Amad Diallo - B-

A somewhat positive showing from Amad, who has been in the firing line in recent weeks. He was a constant outlet and threat for United, with his direct ball-carrying causing Villa's defence all sorts of issues.

That said, this influence waned significantly in the second half before he was hooked shortly after the hourmark.

Bruno Fernandes - C-

Some outstanding passes from United's captain, although equally a lot of wastefulness. A very classic Bruno Fernandes display, which became more desperate as the game wore on.

Matheus Cunha - B-

Looked buoyed by his two goals in midweek against Roma, and won the penalty for Fernandes with a brilliant driving run. He, like many United stars, did fade significantly in the second period.

Bryan Mbeumo - C-

Whilst United were threatening for much of the game, Bryan Mbeumo was unusually quiet, particularly in the first half.

SUBSTITUTES

Ayden Heaven - C-

Replacing Maguire at half-time, Heaven looked out of his depth at the heart of United's defence (barring one driving run up the pitch), and was booked for a reckless tackle on Alysson.

Mason Mount - C-

Offered very little in his cameo.

Patrick Dorgu - B+

Was less problematic than Dalot, but that doesn't say much. He did, however, do well to create Zirkzee's late consolation and popped up with the equaliser in the dying embers.

Shea Lacey - B-

Brought some energy and life to United's rapidly declining attack.

Joshua Zirkzee - C+

He made an impact with his size and presence, and took his goal well.

Player

Grade

Senne Lammens

E

Noussair Mazraoui

C+

Leny Yoro

D-

Harry Maguire

B-

Diogo Dalot

F

Kobbie Mainoo

C+

Youri Tielemans

D+

Amad Diallo

B-

Bruno Fernandes

C-

Matheus Cunha

B-

Bryan Mbeumo

D+

Ayden Heaven

C-

Mason Mount

C-

Patrick Dorgu

B+

Shea Lacey

B-

Joshua Zirkzee

C+

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