Man United battling Man City for double transfer as Erik ten Hag timeline outlined

Manchester United were unable to breathe new life into their Premier League season as they played out a drab goalless draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.

The outing at Villa Park was a chance for Erik ten Hag to claim a first Premier League win since September 14 and quell some of the debate around his Old Trafford future. However, United could only leave the Midlands with a share of the points as Bruno Fernandes' free-kick late in the second half was as close as the Reds came to breaking the deadlock.

But you already knew that, didn't you? Instead, we'll get you through the latest Manchester United news and rumours.

READ MORE: Villa vs United as it happened

READ MORE: Ten Hag explains De Ligt and Martinez calls

Pardew: Ten Hag will be afforded 2024 to turn United around

Former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Erik ten Hag will be afforded the rest of the year to turn around his fortunes at Old Trafford.

United have won just two of their seven Premier League games this season and sit 14th in the table after Sunday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

However, Pardew thinks United will hold off sacking Ten Hag, who is under increasing scrutiny at Old Trafford.

"I think that performance was enough to get him through this window”, Pardew said on talkSPORT’s Sunday Session. “Now he’s got maybe another, I don’t know, maybe the whole Christmas period to improve results.”

MEN Sport says: If United are to continue their current form, it would be surprising if Ten Hag was around when the Christmas decorations are put up at the end of November, let alone when they are taken down at the end of the year.

All three of United's performances in the last eight days - Tottenham, FC Porto and Villa - have shown that there are plenty of issues for Ten Hag to solve if he is to turn his Old Trafford tenure around.

United face transfer battle with Manchester City over youth talents

Manchester United will go head-to-head with Manchester City for highly-rated Swansea City duo Harlan Perry and Brogan Popham, according to the Mirror.

It is claimed that both United and City have meetings arranged with the duo's representatives after declaring their interest. Neither player has yet signed a professional contract with Swansea.

MEN Sport says: Should United complete a swoop for Perry or Popham, it would continue their recent impressive recruitment at youth level. In recent years they have added players such as Ethan Ennis and Chido Obi-Martin to their ranks.