Manchester United picked up a crucial point against Aston Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park on Sunday.
The Red Devils secured a 0-0 draw, and Erik ten Hag should be happy to leave Villa Park with a point.
It wasn’t a free-flowing, entertaining game, and while both sides tried to create good chances, there weren’t enough clear-cut opportunities.
Bruno Fernandes came close to scoring for United when he hit the woodwork with a terrific free-kick in the second half.
The Red Devils hardly threatened, but their best chance came when they got a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box after Alejandro Garnacho was caught by Matty Cash.
Fernandes stepped up to the free-kick. It was nearly perfect, with Emi Martinez beaten between the sticks.
Jamie Carragher was heavily impressed by Fernandes, and he said that it was a “wonderful” effort, and they were so close to getting a goal.
Carragher told on Sky Sports, as relayed by BBC Sport: “The best effort of the day, there hasn’t been much to compare it with but that was so close to being a wonderful first goal in this game.
“It’s going to take something of real quality, something that’s been lacking in this game, to break the deadlock.”
The international break has come at the right time for Man Utd
The Red Devils find themselves 14th in the league table, and the pressure is mounting on Ten Hag to keep his job safe.
United are without a win in their last five games in all competitions, but they can go into the international break on a positive note. A defeat would have been a catastrophe.
Ten Hag’s job hangs in the balance, and the Dutchman will be happy that the international break has come at the right time for him and the club.
While most of the players will be on international duty, Ten Hag will still be able to work with players who will stay behind. It is also a good time for him to reflect on how he can bring changes to the system to get the best out of his players.
Away from the intense pressure at Old Trafford for a while, the players might return rejuvenated. Fernandes has come under criticism in recent weeks, but there’s no doubt that he can still make a difference for his side because of his quality.
