Another dramatic and entertaining game finished all square for Manchester United as they drew 2-2 at their last game with Everton at Goodison Park. United had a tough first half as they went 2-0 down but fought back and staged a spirited comeback to score 2 in the second half to salvage some points from the game amid a tough ongoing season.
The game started with Everton coming all guns on United as Beto opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a finely struck volley that found its way past United’s keeper, Andre Onana. The home side doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when Abdoulaye Doucoure rose above United’s defence to nod home a cross from Jack Harrison. For a significant stretch of the match, it looked as though Everton’s momentum under David Moyes would prove too much for the visitors.
United’s plight, however, began to change after halftime. With a noticeably subdued first-half display, during which they managed only a couple of shots on target, the Red Devils began to pull themselves together in the second half. Substitutions by Amorim including Garnacho and Chido Obi in the second half made the difference as United looked like a different team, showing intent and aggressiveness. United got the breakthrough in the 71st minute when Bruno Fernandes slotted a free kick in the bottom corner. Minutes later, Uruguayan midfielder, Manual Ugarte scored a stunning volley past Pickford to put United back into the game.
With six minutes of injury time added, the drama unfolded on the other side of the pitch as Everton were awarded a penalty for a challenge on Ashley Young. However, in a twist of fate, VAR intervened to save United as the penalty decision was overturned after an on-field review. Reflecting on the incident during his post-match briefing on TNT Sports, United manager Ruben Amorim said, “It was a soft touch – it was not a penalty from what I saw. I don’t like to comment immediately, but we felt it wasn’t a foul.”
Speaking about the game, Amorim added in his post match briefing, “If you start the game without the first half and losing 2-0 – it’s a good point. But we need to win three points and we need to play all the game. Asked how he can overturn the situation for Manchester United, Amorim said, “In training, we continue to do the same thing. That is why in the second half we didn’t change anything – we have to do the same thing but in a good way.” Amorim praised the second half performance and said, “I don’t want to just talk about the negatives and the second half was so much better and the belief – in the end, we were near to winning this game.”
Former United defender, Rio Ferdinand was particularly concerned about United’s performance. He told TNT Sports, “I questioned the desire in this team – the fight. They can’t continue like this. They have to start games on the front foot. There are so many things that can be picked apart in this performance, but they finished the game strongly, and that is where we need to look.”
While the draw provides some consolation for United, after coming from behind, it is nowhere good what Amorim and Manchester United would expect from the team. United still occupy the 15th position with just 30 points after 26 games, a far cry from the heights they once aspired to. Everton, on the other hand, continues their resurgence under Moyes, who has revitalized the Toffees’ after taking over the charge again with the club.