Everton drew 2-2 with Manchester United at the Goodison Park last Saturday, February 22.
The draw left Everton in the 12th place with 31 points in 26 matches, while Manchester United stayed in the 15th position with 30 from 26.
It was a tale of two halves, with the Toffees scoring twice in the first half and the Red Devils responding with two goals in the second.
A rearguard performance by Manchester United during the last half an hour or so earned the point for them.
Poor First Half from Manchester United
Manchester United had a solitary attempt on Everton’s goal during the initial 45 minutes.
David Moyes’ side scored twice during the same period, exhibiting speed and intent in their attacks that put the United defence under a lot of pressure.
Harry Maguire’s aerial defending was not up to the mark and contributed a lot towards a the goals scored by Everton.
Staring with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in the double-pivot, Manchester United often were a creative player short.
Bruno Fernandes was there, but had too much to do, as he had to fall back and help the defence when Patrick Dorgu went into overlaps.
Casemiro, who will turn 33 this year, looked like he was on a pension already.
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Changed Fortunes in Second Half
Ruben Amorim decided to bring in Alejandro Garnacho in the second half in Casemiro’s place, which changed Manchester United’s fortunes.
Gradually, the visitors started having more numbers upfront and testing Everton’s defence.
Garnacho made quite a few runs through the inside-left channel and kept the Everton defence busy.
However, it took a moment of individual brilliance from Fernandes, whose direct free-kick reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute.
Manuel Ugarte, one of the consistent United players this season, then stepped up to score his first goal for the club with a wonderful volley and thereby earn a point.
However, the front two of Manchester United looked far from being lethal.
Rasmus Hojlund looks like he can play for eternity and still end up not scoring a goal.
Joshua Zirkzee was once again tireless with his link-up play but looked far more comfortable in the middle third than in the final third.
The problem with Zirkzee is that he cannot be trusted to play on the right flank in a 3-4-3, a formation that could accommodate Garnacho on the left flank.
Neither can Zirkzee play in a front-two in a 3-5-2, which presents a tactical conundrum to Manchester United that seems to have no solution at the moment.
The Red Devils will play against Ipswich Town and Fulham in their next two Premier League matches and will then take on Real Sociedad in a Europa League match in the first week of March.
The second half against Everton showed that United can be really competitive if they shun their inhibition and play with some pride.
The question, however, remains whether they can do it consistently enough.
The first-half performance on Saturday was almost reminiscent of the worst days of the Erik ten Hag era.
It is now up to Amorim to motivate his men well enough to avoid the repetition of it.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 22.02.2025