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      Wayne Rooney tipped to manage ‘big, important club’ but Man Utd legend knows ‘better than anyone’ of challenges he faces

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S former Manchester United strike partner has tipped him to manage a “big, important club” in the future.The Plymouth boss, 38, led his side to a third victory in five Championship games on Saturday as they scored in stoppage-time to claim a 2-1 win over Blackburn.Wayne Rooney is starting to enjoy some success as Plymouth managerCredit: RexRooney’s old team-mate Louis Saha wants the former England striker to be given the right opportunityCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdRooney was sent off after Blackburn’s equaliser following a heated exchange with the fourth official.But they ended up securing the three points to lift them up to 14th in the table heading into the second international break of the season.And former Man Utd man Louis Saha, 46, who spent four years playing alongside Rooney at Old Trafford, wants the ex-England man to rise through the ranks as a coach.However, Saha also insists Rooney will be well aware of the challenges that await him in management.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to cryptocasinosuk.net, he said: “Wayne Rooney has got an enormous desire for football, and he’s got an enormous desire to transmit that knowledge to players.”I would love to see Wayne Rooney managing a big, important club, but it’s a difficult journey and Wayne knows that better than anyone.”Sometimes, you must be in the right place at the right time. You need the right opportunity.”I don’t think Wayne has had that opportunity yet to manage the type of players that he would really like to work with. I’m talking about players with exceptional quality.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”In many ways, it’s a similar problem to what Patrick Vieira had. He went into Palace, it took him a bit of time, but he wasn’t working with players that were anywhere near the level he played at. Sometimes, that can be hard for a manager to deal with.”Frank Lampard is the other example. He got the opportunity to manage his club, Chelsea, early in his career. OK, he had managed Derby, but making the jump from Derby to Chelsea is huge.”‘Absolutely love this!’ – Watch Wayne Rooney go wild as his Plymouth side win first league game with 93rd minute strikeRooney began his managerial career at Derby in 2020 as he hung up his boots to pursue coaching full-time.He left at the end of the 2021/22 season and joined MLS side DC United where he spent a little more than a year.Rooney joined Birmingham in October 2023 but only lasted 15 games before he was sacked after winning just twice.Plymouth appointed him in May and his record currently stands at four wins, two draws and five defeats from 11 games in charge. More

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      Chelsea legend Claude Makelele ‘QUITS as manager of Astera Tripoli’ just three weeks and three games into job

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      CLAUDE MAKELELE has reportedly quit his role as a manager after just THREE weeks and three games in charge – and without losing.The former Chelsea midfielder took over at Greek outfit Asteras Tripolis on September 13 – his first job as a gaffer for five years.Claude Makelele quit as Asteras Tripolis boss after just three weeks in chargeCredit: Getty – ContributorHis first game in charge was a 1-1 draw with Panetolikos before he registered another stalemate with Levadiakos on September 28.Makelele’s men then ran out 3-1 winners on Sunday away at Kallithea.However, news broke on Monday that he had suddenly left in a shock twist. Sport24 in Greece suggested Makelele decided to walk away due to a difference in football philosophy with the club’s board. READ MORE ON CHELSEAAsteras Tripolis sit seventh in the Greece Super League table after seven games this season – seven points off leaders PAOK.Makelele, 51, enjoyed a hugely successful playing career.The star revolutionised the holding midfielder role and the No6 position is still sometimes called the “Makelele Role”. He won Ligue 1 with Nantes in 1994-95 and had stints with Marseille and Celta Vigo before shining for Real Madrid.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Frencham – who earned 71 caps – lifted the Champions League in 2002, sandwiched between two LaLiga-winning seasons. Makelele arrived at Chelsea in 2003 under Claudio Ranieri and was a key figure as Jose Mourinho swept to back-to-back Premier League crowns. Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Player Ratings and Team PerformanceHe finished with three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain then stepped into coaching and management.Spells as a coach at PSG, Swansea and Chelsea – where he also mentored – interlinked with managerial gigs at Bastia and Eupen before his shock appointment in Greece last month, five years after leaving the Belgian outfit. During his brief time at Asteras Tripolis, Makelele did manage to sign free agent and former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.Makelele won the Premier League twice with ChelseaCredit: AFP – Getty More

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      Watch Jesse Lingard score screamer as former Man Utd star proves he’s still got it in South Korean league

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      FORMER Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has rediscovered his spark in South Korea.The 31-year-old scored a screamer for FC Seoul against Gwanju on Sunday.Jesse Lingard got on the scoresheet for FC Seoul at the weekendCredit: X/JesseLingardThe ex-United star sent his defender the wrong way before going for goalCredit: X/JesseLingardHis shot flew into the top-right cornerCredit: X/JesseLingardAfter controlling a headed clearance, Lingard sent his defender the wrong way before curling his shot into the top-right corner.Despite the ex-United star’s finish, Seoul went on to lose 3-1 at the Gwangju Football Stadium.Lingard took to social media to issue a message to fans following the defeat.Alongside a video of his goal, he wrote: “Last 5 games to achieve our goal 🙏.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDFC Seoul are in fifth spot in the K-League, 11 points off top team Ulsan HD.Lingard joined the South Korean side in February after an eight month period as a free agent.The midfielder has since scored five goals in 21 appearances.Before signing for Seoul, he spent one year at Nottingham Forest.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLingard spent the majority of his career at Man Utd having come through the club’s academy.He made 232 first team appearances for the Red Devils during his eight-year spell.Jesse Lingard brutally mocked by K-league rival as opponent copies forgotten Man Utd man’s celebration after late winnerLingard was fined by the South Korean police last month for riding an electric scooter on the street.The former United man had to pay 190,000 Won (£106) for breaching two road rules. More

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      Jarrod Bowen stars in Team of the Week for Gameweek 7 – one smug gaffer soon to be £250 richer!

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      WITH no midweek fixtures due to the international break, Gameweek 7 is essentially done and dusted.This means we can review Team of the Week earlier than usual and celebrate a Dream Team manager who is soon to be £250 richer.Harry Roggerman is the gaffer in question as his XI ‘Turtle City’ racked up 132 points without the use of a Booster.Let’s take a closer look at how he achieved such a high score at the weekend.Harry’s heroes of Gameweek 7!Credit: Dream TeamWhile many Dream Team bosses were disappointed by the damp squib served up by Aston Villa and Manchester United on Sunday, Harry was satisfied by the 0-0 draw as it meant clean sheets for Emi Martinez (£3.7m) and Diogo Dalot (£4.1m).Virgil van Dijk (£5.3m) also notched a clean sheet in Saturday’s early kick-off between Crystal Palace and Liverpool.In fact, Rico Lewis (£4m) was the only one of Harry’s defensive assets who conceded a goal (two to be precise) but the talented teenager offered compensation in the form of an assist for Manchester City’s decisive third goal against Fulham.The England international ranks third among players in his position overall with 64 points in total.It was the Saka show at the Emirates on SaturdayCredit: GettyBukayo Saka (£6.5m) was the shining light in midfield.Arsenal’s No7 had a hand in all three of his side’s goals against Southampton on Saturday as he set up the first two before scoring one of his own close to full time.Most read in FootballThe in-form winger banked 20 points when all was said and done to take his overall tally for the season to 102 – he’s the only midfielder into triple figures at this stage.Harry’s only mistake was that he didn’t captain Saka – not that it cost him.Prior to the deadline, he decided to place the armband on Cole Palmer (£6.5m), which was a reasonable decision given the Chelsea star scored four goals in one half in Gameweek 6.Last season’s Young Player of the Year had to settle for just an assist against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, his fifth of the campaign, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s troops earned a draw at Stamford Bridge.Eight points represents a slow week by Palmer’s sky-high standardsCredit: ReutersThe good news for Harry is that he also backed goalscorer Noni Madueke (£3.3m), meaning he squeezed every notable point out of the Blues’ performance.Elsewhere, Bryan Mbeumo (£4.2m) scored his sixth goal of the season during Brentford’s entertaining 5-3 win over Wolves – only Erling Haaland (£9.1m) has scored more in all competitions to this point.The Cameroon international also scooped three points on his way to an impressive 14-point return and is up to sixth in the midfield rankings.It could be argued that West Ham assets were the secret to Harry’s success in Gameweek 7.He was among the slim minority (1.2%) of gaffers who owned Lucas Paqueta (£3.3m) for the Hammers’ home game against Ipswich.The Brazilian midfielder repaid the faith with a 12-point haul amid the hosts’ 4-1 victory.Is Bowen being underrated by Dream Team bosses this season?Credit: REUTERSThe ever-reliable Jarrod Bowen (£4.9m) went one step further with a goal and assist to pocket 16 points at the Tractor Boys’ expense.An ownership of 4.2% feels low for a player who has delivered plenty of points across the last two or three years and the 27-year-old now finds himself fourth in the forward rankings.READ MORE SUN STORIESLast but not least, Kai Havertz (£5.1m) continued his good form with another goal against Saints – he’s among several players with six to his name at this juncture.Harry is the second gaffer is succession to claim the cash prize without the help of Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah – there’s more than one way to skin a cat in this game!BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Former Chelsea manager Potter weighs in on Postecoglou’s ‘shell-shocked’ interview after Brighton’s win over Spurs

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      GRAHAM POTTER has given his verdict on Ange Postecoglou’s “shell shocked” interview.The Tottenham boss was left downbeat after his side threw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose at Brighton.Graham Potter shared his thoughts on Ange Postecoglou’s post-match interviewThe Tottenham boss was very downbeat following defeat to BrightonCredit: Sky SportsIt is a third Prem defeat of the season for Spurs in just seven matches, having been beaten by Newcastle and rivals Arsenal.Postecoglou described the Brighton result as his worst defeat in charge of Tottenham, and he barely took his eyes off the floor in his post-match interview.His gloomy demeanour led Joe Hart to question Potter about Postecoglou needing good support around him, hinting managers can sometimes allow their emotions to get the better of them.Potter said on Match of the Day 2: “I think it comes with experience. Always we are trying to find the right words.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Getting angry’s easy, getting upset is easy. As leaders as coaches you can’t throw your team under the bus, you can’t throw players under the bus, you want to support them.”At the same time you need to show you are taking responsibility, that people are accountable to supporters.”So it’s a fine line between when you’re winning you’re this emotionally intelligent calm person, and when you’re losing you need to be more angry.”Potter’s last comment triggered laughter from his colleagues as he was famously lamented at Chelsea for being too nice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe often refused to slam referees during his stint in the Prem in charge of Chelsea and Brighton, but asserted that did not mean he never got angry.Potter said previously: “Of course I get angry, I’m a human being, it’s just I choose to conduct myself in the way I think is the right way to conduct myself on the sideline.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror show“I think the same media are talking about me being more angry but then running stories about problems with referees at grassroots level.“They don’t see the connection. That’s not to say we don’t all lose our temper; we do because it’s an emotional thing.“I have a responsibility to myself, to Chelsea, to the game, and to act in a way that is the right thing for me.”Fans were taken aback by Postecoglou’s interview with one saying: “I don’t think I have ever seen a manager Shell shocked like this with what he saw from his own team.😮”Another added: “Defeated man.” More

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      Fans joke Ten Hag has ‘already found a new job’ as Man Utd manager is ‘spotted working as ball boy’ during Villa match

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left in stitches after spotting a brilliant Erik ten Hag lookalike.The under-fire boss clung onto his job for another week with a bore 0-0 draw against Aston Villa.Eagle-eyed fans spotted an Erik ten Hag lookalike during the Villa gameTen Hag remains at risk of the sackCredit: GettyBut with just eight points from seven Premier League games, Ten Hag has overseen the club’s worst-ever start to a season and he remains at risk of the sack.But fans are convinced the boss has already started a new job after spotting his double on the sidelines during the Villa game.As Diogo Dalot took a throw-in, Sky Sports cameras picked up a Ten Hag lookalike with an incredible resemble to Ten Hag.The man had an identical beard and the same bald look as the Dutchman.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd fans were found it hilarious, with one saying: “Ten Hag’s twin brother.”Another added: “He has already found a new job.”More laughed: “That’s his cousin Eleven Hag.”A fourth commented: “Villa have surely done this on purpose.”Most read in FootballOthers reacted: “Got to respect the grind. Found himself a new job before he’s been fired from his current one.”With pressure mounting on Ten Hag, the club’s hierarchy are set for crunch talks in London tomorrow.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team of Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrarda, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox will all be there with co-chairman Joel Glazer.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy caught in heated conversation during Man Utd’s draw at Villa Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More

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      Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Villa, slams BBC pundit

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      ERIK TEN HAG desperately tried to look on the bright side following Manchester United’s drab 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.But Newcastle legend Alan Shearer claims he did not do himself any favours.Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team’s performance against Aston VillaCredit: GettyAlan Shearer claimed the Dutchman ‘doesn’t help himself’ with his commentsCredit: GettyTen Hag praised his team for the result at Villa Park – even though it left them 14th in the Premier League table.He said: “Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions. We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDDiscussing Ten Hag’s post-match comments on The Rest is Football podcast, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said: “I saw Erik ten Hag saying at the end of the game, ‘that’s a clean sheet, that’s four clean sheets now this season, we’re going in the right direction.'”I just thought, well, if you’ve been struggling a bit like they have and you’ve tried to claim that performance is a step in the right direction…”It’s always a decent point going away to Aston Villa, but it was pretty turgid, wasn’t it?”BBC Sport pundit Shearer then chimed in to say: “In the grand scheme of things, going away to Villa and keeping a clean sheet, you look at it and think, ‘okay, yep, acceptable, good result,’ given their league positions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”But what he says after the game… I really don’t think he helps himself now and again when he says about ‘we’re going in the right direction.'”They were 13th before the weekend and they’re now 14th!”How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?Man Utd officials are now understood to be targeting ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Ten Hag.However, they are yet to make contact with him.Earlier this year, Tuchel told United that he was not interested in the job and instead wanted to take a break from management.Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More

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      Paul Scholes reveals clear reason Man Utd are ‘a MESS’ and namedrops five signings caught up in it

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      PAUL SCHOLES has slammed Manchester United’s transfer business and Erik ten Hag’s tactics after the bore draw against Aston Villa.The Red Devils drew 0-0 yesterday to make it five games without a win.Paul Scholes slammed the club’s recruitment strategyCredit: BT SportThe former Man Utd star also hit out at Erik ten Hag’s tacticsCredit: GettyBoth Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt were criticisedCredit: PATen Hag’s side have picked up eight points from seven Premier League games, which is the the United’s worst-ever start to a season.With the manager set to cling onto his job until after the international break, Scholes hit out at the boss, the players and club chiefs.Despite a £180m summer outlay on Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, the Man Utd legend took aim at the transfer strategy.Scholes ranted to SuperSport: “Zirkzee, what is he? Is he a No9 or a No10? Is he going to get you 20 goals? I don’t think so. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Rasmus Hojlund does alright – but is he gonna score you 20 goals? I don’t think so.”I think they are relying more on hope than actual proven quality and they spent so much money as well.”It’s a ridiculous amount of money and some of them can’t get in the team.”You think of Ugarte coming into the club, who was supposed to change the midfield, he didn’t play him.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”De Ligt, £50m and he didn’t play him. Jonny Evans has come in at 36-years-old instead of him. “Martinez, Ten Hag brought him into the club. What must he be thinking? Jonny Evans is playing, Harry Maguire started, Victor Lindelof comes on before him. Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa, slams BBC pundit “It’s just a recruitment mess really.”Scholes also slammed Ten Hag’s “survival tactics” versus Villa and said a lack of identity is resulting in his new signings struggling.He said: “When you don’t have a style of play and you don’t know how to play, or the way you want to play, it’s very difficult to choose players.”When you don’t have a style of play and it changes from week to week, you’re almost throwing balls in the air and saying: ‘He looks a good player, we’ll try and get him’.”It’s a point for United, going to a tough ground under a lot of pressure. “I never really felt like they went there to try and win the game. It was more of a survival tactic more than anything.”But from everything we said before the game, United were quite tough to play against.”But you have to take into account the midweek fixtures. Villa had a big lift from Bayern Munich, winning that game, big atmosphere.READ MORE SUN STORIES”They struggled to really live up that today. You could see they probably suffered a bit. “For Manchester United, it’s difficult to go away in Europe on Thursday night and it was a tough game against Porto with ten-men, so I think the game probably reflected the midweek that both clubs had.”Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More