Manchester United supporters jeered Diogo Dalot as he was substituted during the dramatic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick's side rescued a point with two goals in stoppage time after another difficult defensive display.
Dalot was withdrawn along with Youri Tielemans and Amad Diallo in the 66th minute. Carrick introduced Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and Shea Lacey in an attempt to salvage the situation, with Villa leading 4-2 at that stage.
As the Portuguese full-back went to his seat on the bench, he was hugged by Joshua Zirkzee in a sign of support for the visibly disappointed defender.
United's defensive struggles
Carrick entered the fixture needing three points, with the two-week international break on the horizon. United's poor campaign appeared set to continue, with some shocking defensive work gifting Villa the advantage before an incredible fightback.
Strikes from Alysson and Nicolas Jackson within the opening four minutes put Villa firmly in the driving seat before United responded through Bruno Fernandes' spot-kick and Tielemans' leveller to reach half-time at 2-2.
However, United once more self-destructed to hand Villa back control. Two minutes after the restart, Dalot clumsily brought down Alysson in the area, enabling John McGinn to convert from 12 yards to make it 3-2 before even more farcical defending extended the lead to 4-2.
Late comeback and fan protests
Leny Yoro headed a free-kick towards his own net, forcing Senne Lammens into a stop, with the rebound falling to Leon Goretzka to finish. Dorgu set up fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee to make it 4-3 in stoppage time before the Denmark international delivered a late leveller, nodding in a deep corner after Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki missed the cross.
Carrick attempted to inject fresh energy through his triple substitution, with Dalot's removal after a dismal display at left-back reflecting the frustration inside Old Trafford. United have now shipped 30 goals across all competitions this season, the highest of any team in Europe's top five leagues, matching Crystal Palace and Sassuolo, though they at least managed to avoid defeat.
The match kicked off with the second demonstration against owners the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe within a week. Fans, who had protested during the 3-2 victory over Roma on Tuesday, released green and gold balloons and voiced their discontent about the owners.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox were present at Old Trafford. The dramatic fightback to claim a point leaves Carrick's position uncertain going into the international break.
