Man Utd 4-4 Aston Villa: Bizarre and thrilling theatre as Carrick’s future still in limbo

After yet another breathless, chaotic, shambolic Old Trafford classic, Manchester United do not know whether to laugh or cry.

Their fans didn’t, booing at some points, cheering at others.

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.

Manager Michael Carrick was in spiky mood when he was quizzed about his future by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said, when asked if he was going to walk away.

“Will there?” Carrick then added, when it was suggested there would ‘clearly be conversations’ with United’s hierarchy.

“You’re telling me what you think,” he responded.

“I’m quite clear what direction the club needs to go in. It’s got to win games.”

That is the big question.

Sunday’s ridiculous eight-goal thriller with Villa – a game in which the hosts fought back twice from two goals down – left United 18th in the table and in the Premier League drop zone.

As they enter the international break, they will spend more time in the relegation zone than they have done since 1986.

United have not won a league game since they beat Ipswich on August 30, have conceded 15 goals in their last five games and conceded inside two minutes in three of their last seven matches.

Three minutes and 40 seconds was the earliest they have ever trailed 2-0 in a Premier League game.

Up next is a trip to Anfield to play rivals Liverpool on 22 November.

On the positive side, United’s players have not downed tools for their manager.

Somehow, despite being two goals down on three occasions in the last two games, they have emerged with a win and a draw.

Added to a creditable first-half display in a 2-0 loss at Chelsea on 31 October where they had Lisandro Martinez sent off, before which Carrick was backed to turn the current situation round, was that enough for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family – and detached from this latest crazy day?

Was it enough for chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox who were at Old Trafford?