Match report as Manchester United blow two-goal lead in 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in Perth; Jadon Sancho scored his third goal on tour before Matty Cash netted an own-goal; Leon Bailey pulled one back after half-time and Calum Chambers headed in a late equaliser
Calum Chambers headed in a last-gasp equaliser as Manchester United squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa.
Jadon Sancho scored his third goal of an impressive pre-season tour but after United dominated the first half, they were pegged back in the final minute.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag described the lapse as “unacceptable” after the game, but is glad it happened in a pre-season game and not during the competitive campaign.
Sancho’s latest strike capped a fine team goal in the 25th minute before Matty Cash turned into his own net on the stroke of half-time to put United in total control amid torrential rain in Perth.
However, Aston Villa rallied in the second period following a poor first-half display as substitute Leon Bailey inspired them to a comeback with a fine solo goal four minutes after the restart.
His excellent individual performance, which saw him denied a second by a superb Harry Maguire block, paid dividends in injury time as his corner was headed in by Chambers.
The good, the bad and the ugly
Despite concerns over the pitch at the Optus Stadium following heavy rainfall in Perth, United started quickly with Maguire’s header from Luke Shaw’s corner pushed away by Emiliano Martínez.
Villa’s only chance of the half came from Cash’s low strike from 25 yards which went narrowly wide of David de Gea’s right-hand post.
United controlled proceedings as Sancho was denied by a sharp save from Martinez, although he did not have to wait long to find the net.
Diogo Dalot started the move on the right side, feeding Anthony Martial, who popped the ball off to Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder shifted it to Rashford on the left and he waited for Shaw’s overlapping run with the left-back crossing for Sancho to volley home.
