Late disappointment!

Manchester United have had an underwhelming start to the campaign, with defeat against Hull, a resounding win over Ipswich and then the late draw against Everton summarising the disappointment seen so far in just the opening 3 games. With a huge week ahead including the return to the Champions League and the Manchester derby, a win would provide a real springboard to get on track, but the late Maitland-Niles goal in the 96th minute leaves a sour taste in the mouth of United fans with a real need to shake this off quickly.

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Teams

Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Rohl (Hackney 75′), Garner (Maitland-Niles 77′), Armstrong, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Johnson (Grealish 66′), Barry

Subs: Travers, O’Brien, Keane, Alcaraz, Graham, Dibling

Manchester United: Lammens, Shaw (Mazraoui 90′), Martinez, Maguire, Dalot (Yoro 84′), Tielemans, Mainoo (Santos 84′), Rashford (Sesko 70′), Fernandes, Mbeumo, Cunha (Dorgu 70′)

Subs: Darlow, Heaven, Mount, Zirkzee

Everton 2-2 Manchester United

Everton and Manchester United shared a dramatic 2-2 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, with the hosts rescuing a point deep into stoppage time. In a match that burst into life after the interval, United twice looked to have done enough to leave Merseyside with all three points, only for Everton’s late resilience to produce a remarkable finish. The visitors had been the more composed side for much of the first half, with Bruno Fernandes striking the crossbar from a volley after a knock-down by Bryan Mbeumo, but Everton remained competitive and finished the opening 45 minutes with increasing threat.

United finally broke the deadlock just after half-time through Mbeumo. The forward collected Kobbie Mainoo’s pass on the right, drove towards goal and cut inside before sweeping a fine finish beyond Jordan Pickford. Everton responded by pushing higher up the pitch, although they were made to rue several opportunities as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Harrison Armstrong and Brennan Johnson all came close. At the other end, James Tarkowski produced an important challenge to prevent Matheus Cunha finishing into an empty net, keeping Everton within touching distance as the game entered its decisive stages.

The equaliser arrived seven minutes from normal time, and it was a spectacular one. Substitute Jack Grealish helped inject fresh attacking energy into Everton’s play before Hayden Hackney found Tyrique George in space. George took aim from an awkward angle and unleashed a fierce strike into the top corner for his first Everton goal. United, however, immediately restored their advantage. Luke Shaw delivered an inviting cross from the left and Benjamin Šeško rose to head beyond Pickford in the 88th minute, seemingly repeating his late-winning heroics from last season’s corresponding fixture.

There was still one extraordinary twist to come. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, making his Everton debut after arriving from Lyon on deadline day, collected the ball outside the area in the sixth minute of added time and struck a superb first-time effort from around 25 yards. The shot flew into the top corner, leaving Senne Lammens rooted to the spot and sending the home crowd into raptures. It was a remarkable introduction for Maitland-Niles and a fitting end to a frenetic second half, as Everton earned a point after twice coming from behind while United were left to reflect on a victory that had been within their grasp.

Talking Points

The first talking point from this has to be the disappointing end to the game, with United dropping their lead twice, and conceding the 2 goals in the closing stages of the game, the 96th minute equaliser by Maitland-Niles is one that largely couldn’t be stopped, but will mean this result feels like defeat given how United looked to be heading to 2 wins from 3 opening games, a much better sounding start than 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their openers.

Benjamin Sesko grabbing a goal during his 20 minute cameo is a huge benefit to United, as despite being limited to minutes from the bench due to no pre-season and question marks over his fitness, it’s clear Sesko offers so much to this United team, and that Cunha leading the line in the false-9 role isn’t quite the same threat as the traditional centre forward. While United are yet to put him in from the start, this week’s Champions League clash could give United a chance to build up his minutes.

Finally, once again Kobbie Mainoo has controlled proceedings in a perhaps underrated manner, with his assist for the opener his only goal contribution thus far, but in his 3 appearances he’s remained one of United’s shining lights even despite the up and down results. With the most defensive contributions (15), the most touches (95) and his assist, it’s the feeling Kobbie Mainoo gives in and out of possession that often calms proceedings and reassures fans and his teammates that more often than not the right decision, the right pass and the right movement will be made.