Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy appear to have heated argument on Man Utd bench

Manchester United made it three games without a Premier League goal on Sunday but escaped with a point from their match against Aston Villa after a solid defensive display

Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy appeared locked in a heated argument during Manchester United’s draw at Aston Villa.

Footage shared on social media shows the pair exchanging words on the bench. Ten Hag then appears to get animated, gesturing towards compatriot Van Nistelrooy as the former PSV Eindhoven manager listens.

The exchange continues for a good few seconds, and the clip ends with Ten Hag looking far from impressed. Fans on social media were unsure whether the pair were speaking English or Dutch in the exchange, with some calling for lip-readers to get involved.

United drew another blank at Villa Park, though a clean sheet allowed them to leave with a point. They have now gone three league games without finding the net, and Ten Hag reflected on those attacking struggles after the draw while praising the defensive solidity shown by his team.

“We had that resilience, the whole season,” Ten Hag told Match of the Day. “We conceded three against Tottenham because we were down to 10 and we still went for the win. But for the rest this is our fourth clean sheet.

“This tells you we are in a good direction. Now also we improve defending counter attacks, and we improve controlling possession. But also we have to improve in the final third.

“First of all Rasmus [Hojlund] is returning. When he is up to full speed he will help us. But also other players have to take responsibility. I am very pleased with the performance of [Marcus] Rashford, twice he came close to goals. [Alejandro] Garnacho has been good all season. But also other players can score, we have to step up in that area.”

What did you make of Manchester United’s performance at Villa Park? Have your say in the comments section

United have scored just five goals in their seven Premier League games, while their eight point total is their lowest in the Premier League era. Only 19th-placed Southampton have scored fewer than United, though winless Crystal Palace also have five goals to their name.

Their next two matches come against teams just above them in the table, but with worse defensive records. After the international break they will host a Brentford side who have conceded 13 times in seven games, followed by a trip to face a West Ham outfit with nine goals conceded in their four home games and 11 in total.

The fixtures could provide an opportunity for United’s strikers to get back among the goals, with no player scoring more than once in the league for Ten Hag’s team. The underwhelming record hasn’t impressed former United star Paul Scholes, who took aim at the team after Sunday’s draw.

“In forward areas especially, I just don’t think the quality is there,” Scholes told SuperSport after the Villa game. “We go back to the most successful teams, they’re capable of scoring goals. What have we scored? Five goals in seven games.

“Now we had three or four forwards who could get you 20 goals so you’re looking at 80 goals a season there and I just don’t see that in the forward line at Manchester United. Look, Hojlund does alright but is he gonna score you 20 goals? I don’t think so.

“[Joshua] Zirkzee… what is he? Is he a No.9 or a No.10? Is he going to get you 20 goals? I don’t think so. I think they’re relying more on hope than actual proven quality and they spent so much money as well.”

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