Manchester United held by Everton after stoppage-time equaliser
United have dropped five points from their opening three matches after Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck late to secure Everton a 2-2 draw.
Manchester United surrendered a late lead at Everton, drawing 2-2 after Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored an injury-time equaliser on his Premier League debut for the club.
The result leaves United five points short of a maximum return from their first three league matches. They have conceded twice in each game, a pattern manager Michael Carrick said must change if the side is to improve its prospects of winning.
Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal of the season after a shin injury delayed his start to the campaign. Luke Shaw supplied the cross for United’s second goal and was among the side’s stronger performers, having started every Premier League match since the beginning of last season.
Everton’s goals came through powerful long-range strikes from Tyrique George and Maitland-Niles, who entered the match as a substitute in the 77th minute. The report did not assign sole responsibility for either goal.
Carrick said United had shown positive signs and came close to taking all three points, while former United player Wayne Rooney described the away performance as encouraging. Carrick also confirmed Marcus Rashford was withdrawn after feeling “something”, with the seriousness of the issue unclear.
United now face Sabah FK in the Champions League before a Manchester derby, during a schedule of four matches in 11 days. The congested run will test Carrick’s selection options, including the roles of Shaw, Joshua Zirkzee and Sesko, while questions remain over the club’s late-window recruitment.
