'You can't imagine great managers doing that' - Unai Emery blasted after what ex-Aston Villa scout saw

Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King criticised Emery for walking off before the final whistle during Sunday's 4-4 draw with Manchester United, calling his conduct disrespectful.

Unai Emery left the pitch before the final whistle sounded after Aston Villa conceded two stoppage-time goals to draw 4-4 with Manchester United on Sunday, throwing away a 4-2 lead. When asked why he departed early, Emery claimed he thought the match had ended when the six minutes of additional time were up, though he did shake Michael Carrick's hand before leaving.

Former senior Villa scout Bryan King told Football Insider that Emery's actions were disrespectful and emotional. King contrasted modern managers' behaviour with the conduct of great managers of the past, saying: "The great old managers, they won properly and they lost properly."

He noted that such departures have become more common in the Premier League, citing instances where Emery failed to exchange formalities with opposing managers last season.

While Emery's frustration was understandable given Villa's collapse—they had been two goals ahead twice—his reaction and explanation were petty. Emery knows that injury time is a minimum and the referee decides when the game ends.