Toby Wilding

Sat 22 February 2025 14:51, UK

Man United produced a remarkable second half comeback to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday (22 February).

It was the hosts who deservedly went ahead 20 minutes into the match, as Beto continued his excellent recent form for Everton to fire home after the Red Devils only half-cleared a corner.

Things got even worse for Ruben Amorim‘s side just passed the half-hour mark, when Abdoulaye Doucoure headed home on the rebound after Andre Onana had saved Jack Harrison’s initial shot.

Things though would change after the break, with the visitors upping their game, although even then they needed an excellent Bruno Fernandes free-kick to pull a goal back 20 minutes from time.

Barely ten minutes after that, Man United would equalise again in stunning style, when a free-kick was headed to Manuel Ugarte on the edge of the area, who then fired home with a brilliant half-volley.

There would though be one more twist in stoppage time after Mathijs De Ligt brought down Ashley Young inside the area as he scrambled to get to a rebound from an Onana save.

But after Andy Madely pointed to the spot to award Everton a penalty, only for that decision to be overturned after an on-field VAR review.

That was enough to secure both sides were forced to settle for a point that means the Red Devils remain 15th in the Premier League table.

Man United escape after VAR drama with Ashley Young

Here’s how Football Insider rated the performances of the Man United squad during that clash with Everton.

Andre Onana 6

Not much he could have done about either goal and made a couple of decent saves.

Noussair Mazraoui (off for Yoro, ’71) 6

One excellent block to cut out a pull-back at 2-0, but other than that seemed to struggle to exert much control on the game.

Harry Maguire 4

Rarely felt convincing in defence, particularly poor for the second goal, including when he was too easily beaten in the air by Doucoure for the finish.

Mathijs De Ligt 4

One of those who seemingly failed to clear the lines for the first, and seemed very lucky to have a stoppage time penalty against him overturned.

Hapless defending aids excellent Everton

Diogo Dalot 5

Dalot was given stick by Man United fans over training ground footage prior to the game, but hardly even got the chance to show what he could do here with an anonymous performance

Manuel Ugarte 6

Quiet for much of the game, but produced a really good finish to equalise for the visitors with ten minutes of the game remaining.

Casemiro (off for Garnacho, ’53) 5

Another largely quiet performance for the midfielder, a good signing when he first joined but the length of contract he was given seems increasingly inexplicable.

Patrick Dorgu 8 – Man of the Match

Man United’s January signing was perhaps the only player in red who looked like having the intent or ability to make something happen going forward throughout the whole of the game.

A contrasting day for Man United attackers

Joshua Zirkzee 6

Never looked like repeating his brace from the reveres fixture but did at least try to get involved in the all-round game.

Bruno Fernandes 8

Barely involved before scoring an excellent free-kick to get Man United back in it, after which he dropped deeper and was outstanding late on.

Rasmus Hojlund (off for Obi, ’70) 4

Hojlund’s selection did not go down well with Man United supporters, and they were proved right as the centre-forward produced another disappointing performance where he was barely involved.

Substitutes

Alejandro Garnacho (on for Casemiro, ’62) 7

Helped provide a much-needed spark in attack to get his side back into the game.

Chido Obi (on for Hojlund, ’70) 6

The youngster showed some bright touches and seemed to offer more of an outlet than the more experienced Hojlund.

Leny Yoro (on for Mazraoui, ’71) 5

Didn’t seem to have as much of an effect as some of the other changes made by Amorim.