There were no late goals, there were no Ronaldo magic this time, but there were goals in the United net, and there will be more pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after another failed attempt to win at Old Trafford. With all it’s firepower, the Red Devils managed to score only one goal against a weakened Everton team and continued to drop points against inferior opposition: Manchester United – Everton 1-1.Another controversy surrounding Solskjaer is the decision to rest the 36 year old Cristiano Ronaldo and midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of this match. The Norwegian probably thought that an injury devastated Everton team will be too weak for his squad, as Rafa Benitez arrived without a crop of first team players (Andre Gomes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fabian Delph, Seamus Coleman and Richarlison), but it turned out that even the injury depleted Everton were enough for Manchester.9 – Manchester United have conceded at least once in each of their last nine league matches at Old Trafford, their longest run of games without a clean sheet at home in the top-flight since February 1971 (10 games). Countered. pic.twitter.com/xjpQ1Sc0Hm— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 2, 2021 Again, the decision to bring two more forwards this year, instead of concentrating on the midfield position proved costly, as it was Fred this time who allowed Grey to start the counterattack which lead to Everton equalizer. To make things more clear: United failed to record a single clean sheet at Old Trafford in the Premier League matches since March 2021. As for those who advocated for Ronaldo to start the match, it’s worth noting that until Ronaldo came in, United was leading 1-0. A dynamic first half ended in a late goal from the hosts, who dominated possession (68%) and shots on target (4). Chances were recorded by Martial in the 6th minute and Cavani in the 21st, whose excellent header was stopped by Pickford. The Toffies, already without a large number of first team players, tried to play tight at the back, and use every opportunity to threaten from the counter attack. It was one of those situations in the 33rd minute, when Demirel Grey, who revived his career since coming from Leverkusen had a great shot from 25 meters, but De Gea was there to stop it. And just before half time, Greenwood passed the ball to Fernandes who got free of Everton defenders and passed the ball to the upcoming Martial from the left and the Frenchman scored in his first start after an injury – 1:0.Martial smashed it for his goal vs Everton 🤩. pic.twitter.com/8NUO5702Bo— MartialXtra™️ (@martialxtra_) October 2, 2021 Second half was pretty much a lullaby and when Ronaldo and Sancho were introduced in the 60th minute, everybody thought that the second goal is just a matter of time. But, one of those rare counter-attacks from Everton eventually paid off, as Grey managed to get the ball to Doucoure, who found Townsend and after three passes, it was 1-1.
Solskjaer brought in Pogba trying to secure a winner, but in the end, only an offside to Mina prevented Manchester to be defeated at Old Trafford for the second week in a row. Another chance to get back to the top of the Premier League is wasted, but the way Manchester plays and receives goals is worrying.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 7SaturdayMan.Utd. – Everton 1-1 (1-0)/Martial 43 – Townsend 65/17:00: (1.85) Leeds (3.70) Watford (4.60)17:00: (1.43) Chelsea (4.70) Southampton (8.50)17:00: (1.95) Burnley (3.50) Norwich (4.40)17:00: (1.70) Wolverhampton (3.80) Newcastle (5.70)19:30: (3.00) Brighton (3.15) Arsenal (2.65)Sunday16:00: (3.10) Crystal Palace (3.30) Leicester (2.50)16:00: (2.20) Tottenham (3.40) Aston Villa (3.60)16:00: (1.87) West Ham (3.70) Brentford (4.50)18:30: (2.85) Liverpool (3.40) Man.City (2.60)***odds are subject to change