Pre-Season: Man United draw against Aston Villa

A late Aston Villa equaliser saw Manchester United let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in a pre-season friendly in Australia on Saturday.

New manager Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a good start to his United reign on the pitch, having already beaten Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace, as they prepare for the new Premier League season.

Jadon Sancho has been one of United’s key men during their tour of Asia and Australia, and he scored his third goal of pre-season – the same amount he scored in the league in 2021/22.

He put his side ahead on 25 minutes after a lovely move, which resulted in Luke Shaw crossing for the former Borussia Dortmund man, who volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.

And some more slick football led to their second of the game on 42 minutes, after Fred’s clipped ball over the top of the defence fell to Sancho, who was played in on goal.

And the scorer of the first goal turned provider, as he squared the ball to teammate Marcus Rashford, whose wayward effort deflected off Aston Villa man Matty Cash and into the back of the net.

Villa manager Steven Gerrard made changes at the break, bringing on Jamaican winger Leon Bailey, who made a real difference for Villa.

In the 50th minute Bailey quickly pulled one back for Gerrard’s side after tricking Shaw with some stepovers and curled past David de Gea superbly.

Villa continued to apply pressure through the second half, in complete contrast to the opening 45 minutes, but the Red Devils stayed resolute and managed to hold out for the victory.

And in the 90th minute Villa made it 2-2 as Bailey was involved again, when his corner was met by defender Callum Chambers, who headed past De Gea in the Red Devils’ net.