Villa’s Early Double Deepens Pressure on Carrick

Aston Villa struck twice within the first four minutes of its Premier League visit to Old Trafford on November 8, putting Manchester United under immediate pressure and adding to the scrutiny facing coach Michael Carrick. Alysson opened the scoring with a shot that went between goalkeeper Senne Lammens’ legs, and Nicolas Jackson soon made it 2-0. The second goal came three minutes and 42 seconds into the game, the earliest United had fallen two goals behind in a Premier League match.

United supporters had protested before kickoff against club owners the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe, urging them to sell. After Villa’s fast start, home fans jeered and renewed their calls for the Glazers to leave.

United pulled one goal back in the 16th minute. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty after Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha in the area.

Carrick entered the game amid doubts about his position, as United had made its worst league start since the 1986-87 season. The team began the match second from bottom, ahead of Crystal Palace only on goal difference, and had won just once in the league, against newly promoted Ipswich on August 30.

Villa supporters taunted Carrick and also sang at former United player Youri Tielemans. United had gone 2-0 down to Roma in a Champions League home match earlier in the week, but recovered to win 3-2.