Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.
The Reds started fast and controlled the opening 20 minutes, but failed to register a shot on target. Edinson Cavani got to the end of a Fred cross but Jordan Pickford was equal to it with a diving save. Demarai Gray was kept out by David de Gea at the other end.
But the hosts responded well in the final minutes of the half when Anthony Martial slammed home past Pickford, amidst a deflection, after being played in by Bruno Fernandes.
After the break, Everton exposed Manchester United’s frailty on the counter-attack. From a Manchester United corner, Gray won the ball back and released Doucoure into acres of space in midfield and the Frenchman played in Andros Townsend, who fired past De Gea with his weaker right foot.
It ends level. #MUFC | #MUNEVE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2021
The Red Devils ended up a little lucky to gain a point after Everton defender Yerry Mina’s winner was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside decision. Let’s take a look at how home team’ players fared against Everton.
Manchester United players ratings vs Everton
David de Gea- 6/10
Made a good save to deny Gray in the first half but one might argue he could have come out quickly for the Everton equaliser.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 5.5/10
Wan-Bissaka started the game brightly, combing well with Mason Greenwood and dovetailing on the right on many occasions. He had a quiet second half and was lucky to get bailed for Everton’s disallowed goal.
Victor Lindelof- 6/10
Lindelof was relatively solid at the heart of the four-man backline. Got caught out a couple of times but recovered well, especially in the second half. Got the better of Gray more often than not.
Raphael Varane- 5.5/10
Varane handled most things well and kept the burly Rondon at bay for large parts of the game. Like Lindelof, was caught out of position a few times. The Frenchman just doesn’t seem to have cohesion at all in the early parts of the season.
Luke Shaw- 5.5/10
A subpar performance from the returning Shaw, who had a decent first half but couldn’t keep up with the performance levels after the break. The England international failed to combine well with Jadon Sancho on the left and create opportunities for his teammates.
Scott McTominay- 3/10
Anonymous and failed to stamp any kind of authority on the game from the middle of the park, both defensively and offensively. Lost possession, gave away cheap fouls and was got bullied by Doucoure and Allan in midfield. A forgettable afternoon for the Scotsman.
Fred- 4/10
Fred was unlucky not to pick up an assist for the Cavani header kept out by Pickford. The diminutive Brazilian was easily muscled off the ball for the equaliser before being substituted for Pogba.
Mason Greenwood- 6/10
Mason Greenwood was active on the right and combined well with Wan-Bissaka in the first half. Tried very hard to create opportunities after the break by coming inside on his left foot but it just didn’t happen. A mixed bag!
Bruno Fernandes- 6.5/10
Fernandes was the link between the midfield and the attack, creating multiple scoring opportunities for his team. Gave a glimpse of his creativity with the fine ball played to Martial for Man United’s opening goal.
Today's captain gives his take on #MUNEVE 🗣#MUFC | @B_Fernandes8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2021
Anthony Martial- 4.5/10
Martial’s inclusion in the starting XI came as a big surprise and he had a slow start to the game. Barring a few neat touches, he was anonymous before bursting into life with a spectacular strike from inside the box for his first goal of the campaign. Subbed off after the break for presumably carrying a niggle.
Edinson Cavani- 5/10
Pressed and probed the Everton backline from minute one. Should’ve scored with a header in the first half only to be well kept out by Pickford. Taken off after the break.
Substitutes
Cristiano Ronaldo- 4/10
Came on for Cavani in the second half but didn’t really threaten the Everton backline, barring a rasping left-footed drive from the byline which flew past Pickford.
Jadon Sancho- 5/10
Perhaps Sancho’s best performance in a Manchester United shirt, although he still lacked the end product. Some great touches and link-up play with the likes of Fernandes, Pogba and Shaw. Squandered a great chance at the death to win the game for the home side.
Paul Pogba- 3/10
Pogba was brought on for Fred to add that missing creativity from the deep midfield area but he failed to make the difference. Should’ve done better with the free header from the corner around eight minutes from normal time.
