The pragmatic strategy used by Ten Hag was visible from the very first minute, when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez first got on the ball to find all 11 Man Utd bodies retreating to surround the Villa midfield. It was a sign of just how deep Man Utd were prepared to sit as they looked to nullify the Villa attack.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag knows that pressure is mounting on his team after a run of underpar results has left them scrambling in both the Premier League and in European competition. United have not won a game since their 7-0 hammering over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham last time out in the top-flight.