Erik ten Hag has accidentally agreed with Ralf Rangnick about obvious Manchester United problem

Ralf Rangnick had been in charge of Manchester United for almost two months when they played Aston Villa in January. United had failed to make any progress under Rangnick, but they suddenly looked like a rejuvenated side in the first half of that game.

United started the match under the floodlights at Villa Park with real purpose and intent. They looked dangerous with every transition, despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, and they were uncharacteristically organised when not on the ball. Nemanja Matic made the starting line-up that night and the midfield was balanced and cohesive. It was just a shame it was too good to be true.

Although it took 30 minutes for David de Gea to make his first save of the game, he was made to work from that point on. The momentum gradually shifted towards the end of the first half and Villa were on top by the time the whistle for half-time came.

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Bruno Fernandes' early goal meant United were ahead, but Villa started the second half exactly how they finished the first. United needed to stand tall and weather the storm and they seemed to do just that when scoring from a ruthless turnover.

Fernandes had scored his second of the match and United had a two-goal lead with 25 minutes to play. The goal promised to seal the result but the hosts weren't going to accept that script. The noise in Villa park increased and United's players began to hide.

It was no coincidence that United finished second in the Premier League in a season mostly played behind closed doors. The character in the club's playing squad has been dubious for some time and United's late capitulation against Villa was a reminder of that.

Jacob Ramsey