Two late goals rescued United from a game Villa had led

Manchester United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa at Old Trafford after both of their late goals came in the 90th minute, with chances rather than possession shaping the match.

Manchester United were behind for most of this game at Old Trafford, and still they finished it level. Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu both scored in the 90th minute, two goals that undid a match Aston Villa had been leading since the 53rd minute. The late turn changes how the rest of the afternoon reads, because it means the side that looked beaten was the side that kept pushing.

It was chances, not the ball, that made this game unusual. United took 26 shots, when they usually take 17.2 at home this season, and their expected goals, a rough measure of how good each chance was, came to 3.28 against a season average of 1.65. Their openings were far better than their own norm, even though their share of the ball, at 56%, was only a little above the 53.8% they usually have.

Villa's chances were also well above their own level. Their expected goals of 2.94 is nearly three times the 1.05 they average on the road this season, while their 44% of the ball was close to the 46.1% they normally hold away. Villa were not on top in possession, but their openings were far better than their own norm, which is why the scoreline swung so often.

Goals came in clusters, and two of them came from penalties. Alysson Edward put Villa ahead inside a minute with a goal from a McGinn assist, and Nicolas Jackson doubled the lead by the fourth minute. Bruno Fernandes pulled United back from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, Youri Tielemans levelled in the 44th, and John McGinn restored Villa's advantage from another spot kick in the 48th. Jackson also set up Leon Goretzka's goal in the 53rd minute.

United's defence was exposed far more than usual. Villa's expected goal total was far above the 1.7 they usually concede at home, and it was the price United paid for a back line that did not hold its shape in the closing stages. Zion Suzuki made five saves for Villa and the United keeper made three, which is a sign of how many openings reached the goal at both ends.

Dorgu, who came on in the 66th minute, was central to the finish. He scored one of the late goals and set up the other, with Bruno Fernandes providing the pass for his strike, so the two players who had the most say in the closing minutes both had a hand in it. Those were the moments that moved the game from a Villa win to a draw.

Villa remain 12th after a game they led for most of the second half, while United stay 18th on seven points from nine games.

Player of the matchN. Jackson1 goal · 1 assist8.3

Y. Tielemans1 goal8.2

P. Dorgu1 goal · 1 assist7.8

L. Goretzka1 goal7.8