Manchester United vs Everton Summary
Manchester United hosted Everton in a dramatic 3-3 draw. Truly a gutting and infuriating performance for United fans because not only did we perform so brilliantly in attack to deserve the win but the goals United conceded were diabolical. Stunning goals from Cavani and Bruno pushed United to a 2-0 lead going into the second half. United capitulated in the first ten minutes of the second half as Doucoure and James levelled the game. Scott McTominay thought he had won the match for Manchester United with a smart header but a nightmarish equaliser stole a point for Everton.
With City’s emphatic win over Liverpool yesterday, United remain second but five points adrift with a game more than the table toppers. That famous phrase by Sir Alex continues to echo around Old Trafford since his departure. Attacks win games but defences win titles. The fullbacks have really stepped up in the last few weeks and are indisputably the best at the club. The centre backs continue to be an issue for United. Individually, Lindelof and Maguire are at least good and competent centre backs. I was concerned about Lindelof against Calvert Lewin. For the late equaliser he totally loses his man regardless of who was played onside and had he tracked Calvert Lewin’s run, nothing would have come from it. I do think Bailly would have been perfect for this game but he was unavailable and Tuanzebe has not been sharp since the Carabao Cup QF.
Conclusion:
Regardless, United will need City to start capitulating for any chance at the title but do certainly have enough to keep second place comfortably. What needs to happen is this team must win a trophy. Be it the FA Cup or the Europa League. Ideally both. West Ham will come to Old Trafford in good form and put up a fight. With Soucek able to play this makes them dangerous and United must be wary. I expect a few changes to the side but not many as a reaction is needed.
Manchester United vs Everton Player Ratings:
David de Gea 4/10
What is it about the Manchester United ‘keeper and Everton?? Horrible error for the first goal. The second was unstoppable. The third I am unsure of. I would argue that he is expecting the header from Keane and so when it deflects onto Calvert Lewin he cannot react in time. Nevertheless, it was his error that led to Everton’s fightback and that put pressure on his team. Something keepers cannot afford to do. I expect Henderson to come in for the cup regardless of form. If Henderson plays well in the cup, I don’t see an issue with giving him a run of form but I stand by David de Gea being the best keeper at the club.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7/10
Notched another assist and solid defensive play. Cannot be faulted for any of the goals.
Harry Maguire 5/10
Struggled against Calvert Lewin one on one. Something that Bailly would have helped with so much more. This is something that he cannot be blamed for. When looking at a freeze frame of the third goal, he plays Michael Keane onside. However, what I will say is that Ole has stated many times that he doesn’t play a high line for set pieces or an offside trap. Because of this you could argue he shouldn’t be at fault and has been let down by Lindelof for Calvert Lewin and Shaw for Keane. With that in mind, it looks bad from the image and makes him look out of his depth. I couldn’t say whether Maguire should be blamed or not but he is certainly let down by his teammates.
Victor Lindelof 3/10
I was worried by his inclusion. I am a big fan of his and think he is a good centre back for the club. However, against aerially dominant players he struggles and cannot offer the recovery pace Bailly or Tuanzebe can. Merging Bailly and Lindelof into a one player would make a complete centre back. He got drawn wide for the first goal and into a position the ball would never go, leaving Maguire one on one with Calvert Lewin. For the second, his header half clears the ball and is immediately set to James who scores and for the third he fails to track Calvert Lewin who scores as well. He had a bad game and struggled to settle down. If Bailly is fit, I would like to see him play midweek.
Luke Shaw 7.5/10
Strong performance again and another good cross. His rating is not higher because he fails to deal with Keane’s flick on.
Scott McTominay 8/10
Really well played all game. Strong battle in the midfield and a robust display capped off with a good header.
Paul Pogba 7/10
Played well when he was on. Shifted the play quickly which neutralised the diamond formation Everton played. A massive shame he came off injured. He will be sorely missed.
Bruno Fernandes 8.5/10
Another superb goal from Bruno and an excellent attacking display. Had three defensive midfielders on him and shrugged them off for a wonder goal.
Mason Greenwood 7.5/10
Another strong performance. Great width and crossing. His passing is getting much better and is clearly learning from Cavani.
Marcus Rashford 7/10
Super cross but had two big chances to score and missed them. Really poor composure and while United’s defence let them down, a goal from Rashford at 3-2 would have sealed it.
Edinson Cavani 8/10
Great performance again. Brilliant movement for the goal and tireless work in defence. Becoming a fixture in the side.
Substitutes:
Fred 6.5/10
Did a job but not even close to the impact Pogba was having in the midfield. Gave away a few needless fouls too.
Axel Tuanzebe N/A
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 6/10
Cannot blame him for the draw as individual errors cost his side but perhaps bringing on Matic instead of Tuanzebe may have settled things down? The only criticism I can find for Ole and it’s not a strong argument. He will need to make some big choices with De Gea and Lindelof and I have seen that he will do so based on Shaw and Martial.
Robin Olssen 5/10
Poor keeping for the third as he fell like a tree. Kept Everton in the game so not lower.
Mason Holgate 5/10
Sat deep and offered very little in attack. Something required when playing a diamond.
Ben Godfrey 5/10
Struggled with Cavani. Still learning his trade though. Could be a very good centre back.
Michael Keane 6/10
Totally failed to target Cavani’s run but good flick on for the equaliser.
Lucas Digne 5/10
Could not deal with Greenwood on the counter and almost totally neutralised in attack bar one cross. Set pieces were poor.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 7/10
Good movement for the goal as Shaw had him marked until the last minute. Dealt with Bruno well bar one moment.
Tom Davies 4/10
Not sure what he offers. Poor passing, bad tackling and subbed off with 15 minutes to go.
Andre Gomes 4/10
Slow tempo to the game. Could have released Richarlison and Calvert Lewin many times but failed. Very poor.
James Rodriguez 6.5/10
Super finish for the first equaliser. Other than that he struggled to make an impact. Came off after 70 minutes.
Richarlison 5/10
Wasn’t given a chance. Really poor and the only chance he had, he wasted.
Dominic Calvert Lewin 8/10
Everton’s best player. Great movement and a great finish late on. I’d like him at United if we cannot get Haaland. Would offer good competition.
Substitutes:
Gylfi Sigurdsson 4/10
Really poor set pieces which is his strongest quality.
Alex Iwobi 6/10
Lively but no output.
Josh King 5/10
Some decent runs but not found. Will be a good signing for Everton.
Carlo Ancelotti 6/10
I think he would be delighted with the result given his team’s overall performance. His formation was set up to suffocate Bruno and Pogba and hit United on the counter. The players didn’t turn up in the first half and United beat them with the swift passing from Pogba and Maguire. Ancelotti gave them a talking to in the second half and they turned up for about ten minutes then they returned to their poor start. After United went ahead he made positive subs and got a bit of luck with the winner. It will be worrying for Ancelotti at how badly his Everton team played against Manchester United for most the game but the fact they can snatch a point from the positions they were in shows promise.
