Michael Carrick's side had managed just one Premier League win this season and were looking to build on Tuesday's inspirational comeback victory over Roma in the Champions League by claiming all three points.

Although they were unable to secure the win, it was an impressive display of character from the struggling side, who ended the evening in 18th place in the league standings with eight points from their opening 10 games. Villa, meanwhile, sit 10th with 13 points.

Unai Emery's side were unbeaten in their previous five top-flight matches heading into the game and made a flying start, with Alysson opening the scoring in the first minute. He fired through the legs of Senne Lammens after some slick passing on the edge of the Manchester United penalty area.

Nicolas Jackson piled further misery on the home supporters just three minutes later, calmly slotting home after Lammens parried an effort into his path, with the United defence caught napping.

There was some respite for United when Bruno Fernandes converted a 16th-minute penalty after Matheus Cunha was brought down by Boubacar Kamara, leaving referee Chris Kavanagh with little choice but to point to the spot.

Diogo Dalot watched as his 25th-minute strike deflected narrowly wide of the Villa goal following a sustained spell of pressure from the hosts, who also won a number of corners that Zion Suzuki struggled to deal with.

The Japanese goalkeeper was grateful to finally get both hands to the ball when a deflected effort from Kobbie Mainoo threatened to loop under the crossbar.

Suzuki then got down well to keep out a low cross from Fernandes before Ahmed Musa came within inches of equalising with an effort from inside the six-yard box, which the goalkeeper tipped around the post.

It was certainly an improvement from Carrick's side following their disastrous start, although nobody could connect with a dangerous Fernandes free-kick on the half-hour mark.

Musa fired narrowly wide with 37 minutes played before forcing another save from Suzuki seven minutes later.

United's late first-half pressure was relentless, and they were eventually rewarded with a deserved equaliser just before the break as Youri Tielemans fired a left-footed effort into the back of the Villa net.

United replaced Harry Maguire with Ayden Heaven at half-time, but the hosts found themselves trailing again just three minutes after the restart.

John McGinn converted a 48th-minute penalty after an unnecessary lunge from Dalot on Alysson, restoring Villa's advantage.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side five minutes later when Leon Goretzka made it 4-2. Following a scramble in the box, during which Lenny Yoro almost turned the ball into his own net, Goretzka kept his composure to finish calmly.

Tielemans tried to repeat his first-half heroics but fired wide after being set up on the edge of the box just after the hour mark.

With time running out, Carrick turned to his bench, introducing Mason Mount, Patrick Dorgu and Shea Lacey in place of Tielemans, Dalot and Musa.

Lacey, who had made a significant impact following his introduction in the Champions League, delivered an inviting cross with virtually his first touch.

Cunha then tested the Villa defence with an effort on target, while Fernandes could only fire a wild attempt into Row Z as United continued to search for a way back into the contest.

In one final throw of the dice, Carrick replaced Bryan Mbeumo with Joshua Zirkzee.

United piled on the pressure in the closing stages and, after Fernandes saw a clipped effort strike the post, a simple cross from Dorgu in the second minute of injury time found Zirkzee, who was in the right place at the right time to slot home and make it 4-3.

But there was still time for more drama.

With Villa goalkeeper Suzuki failing to deal with a late corner into the box, fellow substitute Dorgu rose highest to head home an unlikely equaliser, completing a remarkable comeback and rescuing a point for Manchester United.

Carrick vows to fight on as Man Utd slip into relegation zone