Michael Carrick faces a challenge as Man Utd matches a disappointing 50-year record with a draw against Everton.
Manchester United have matched a disappointing 50-year record after dropping points in a 2-2 draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Bryan Mbeumo gave Michael Carrick’s team an early lead just after the break, scoring his second goal of the season. Then, seven minutes from the end, Tyrique George wowed the Everton fans with a stunning strike past Senne Lammens.
United thought they had snatched a last-minute win when substitute Benjamin Sesko headed the ball past Jordan Pickford. But Ainsley Maitland-Niles had other plans, firing a powerful shot into the top left corner in the final moments of added time.
Maitland-Niles only joined Everton from Lyon on Deadline Day and quickly won over the fans while breaking Carrick’s heart.
The Red Devils nearly grabbed an important victory away from home but have now dropped points in two of their first three Premier League games.
In fact, this is just the second time in 50 years that Man United have conceded two or more goals in each of their first three league matches – the other time was in the 2020/21 season.
Carrick’s team has let in two goals against Hull City, Ipswich Town, and now Everton, showing their defensive issues continue.
One big problem might come from a poor transfer window when United failed to sign a left-back. Although Luke Shaw played better against Everton and set up Sesko’s goal, he still needed some competition.
INEOS said Lewis Hall was their top pick, but Newcastle wasn’t willing to sell the 21-year-old after letting go of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Anthony Gordon.
United also might have needed a strong central defender since Lisandro Martinez’s contract ends next summer and Harry Maguire is getting older.
After the draw at Hill Dickinson, Carrick said, “We feel like we should have won today. It’s a bit on us for not closing the game out well enough.”
The team didn’t show enough focus to finish the match and were punished by a brilliant goal.
Sesko said his team was “unlucky” not to take three points, even though Everton kept pressing.
“I would say we were a bit, actually a lot, unlucky,” the striker admitted. “These things happen, and it’s important to learn from it and improve for the next match.”
Now, United will host Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday and then take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday. They’ll be hoping to bounce back in both games.