‘How this match got the go-ahead is beyond me’: Fans fume as Manchester United and Aston Villa are made to play on a ‘shocking’ surface at Perth’s Optus Stadium after downpours before kick-off
- Fans slammed the poor surface as Man United took on Aston Villa in Perth
- The Optus Stadium pitch was battered by heavy rain in the build-up to the game
- But the match still went ahead after a late inspection despite the soaked pitch
- Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag criticised the state of the surface before kick-off
Fans were stunned and outraged by the terrible state of the pitch at Perth as Manchester United prepared to take on Aston Villa in a pre-season friendly.
The Optus Stadium surface had been battered by heavy rain in the build-up to the match, which only just went ahead following a late pitch inspection.
Concerns over the pitch’s quality were brought into question after the match between Crystal Palace and Leeds on Friday night, saw a number of players suffer injuries.
The pitch was soaked after a heavy downpour ahead of Man United’s friendly with Aston Villa
Fans were outraged by the poor condition of the pitch as Manchester United faced Aston Villa
Fans quickly took to social media to slam the condition of the surface, as Erik ten Hag criticised it ahead of the clash.
The Manchester United manager said: ‘The pitch is not that good. Our football demands a good pitch. But we still have to deliver.’
One supporter described the pitch as ‘shocking’, while another quipped it was ‘like something from the ploughing championships’.
Jadon Sancho scored the opener as Manchester United found themselves 2-0 up at half-time
A third fan joked that the state of the pitch will prepare the club for ‘some dark Europa League and Carabao Cup nights’.
Jadon Sancho was on the scoresheet in the 25th minute before an own goal from Matty Cash put Manchester United 2-0 ahead at half-time.
After Leon Bailey reduced the deficit to one in shortly after the break, Calum Chambers scored a late equaliser for Aston Villa to rescue a 2-2 draw.
Man United face Atletico Madrid next Saturday while Aston Villa play Rennes.
