Manchester United staged a remarkable fightback from the brink of defeat, twice clawing their way back from two goals down to earn a dramatic draw against Aston Villa, a result that could prove crucial in preserving Michael Carrick's position in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Villa stunned the home crowd with a lightning-fast start. Alysson struck inside the opening minute before Jackson doubled the advantage just three minutes later, leaving United shell-shocked and seemingly destined for another damaging defeat.
Yet just when it appeared the hosts were dead and buried, they found a response. Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot in the 16th minute to spark belief, and former Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans haunted his old club by levelling matters on the stroke of halftime.
Any momentum United had built was swiftly wiped away after the restart. Villa again came out firing, with John McGinn restoring their lead from the penalty spot before Leon Goretzka added a fourth five minutes later. At 4-2 down, with time ticking away, United's hopes appeared all but extinguished.
As six minutes of stoppage time were signalled, Villa seemed destined to celebrate a first victory at Old Trafford in 38 years. But football has a habit of delivering the unexpected.
Joshua Zirkzee ignited hopes of an unlikely escape with a goal in added time before Patrick Dorgu sent the home crowd into raptures, snatching an equaliser with virtually the final kick of the match. The scenes that followed were ones of relief as much as celebration, and Carrick may well have been the biggest beneficiary.
For Villa manager Unai Emery, however, it was a bitter ending. Having watched his side throw away victory from a commanding position, his frustration at the final whistle was entirely understandable.