Bizarre & thrilling theatre as Carrick's Man Utd future still in limbo

After yet another breathless, chaotic, shambolic Old Trafford classic, Manchester United do not know whether to laugh or cry. Defender Diogo Dalot was singled out for gruesome treatment amid the second-half protests and songs of defiance as he was replaced by Patrick Dorgu in the 66th minute.

The players didn't, running away joyously to celebrate Dorgu's 96th-minute equaliser that made it 4-4 against Aston Villa. They then applauded the supporters who stayed on despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation as the game entered injury time with United trailing 4-2, presumably to vent their anger on a day when defeat seemed certain.

Sunday's ridiculous eight-goal thriller with Villa - a game in which the hosts twice fought back from two goals down - left United in the drop zone in 18th place. United have not won a league game since they beat Ipswich on 30 August, have conceded 15 goals in their past five games and conceded inside two minutes in three of their past seven matches.