Late lapses and defensive indecision cost the Red Devils a victory at Goodison Park, as Michael Carrick laments the costly slips that wiped out two hard-earned leads.
Manchester United were forced to share the points with Everton after a late equaliser secured a 2-2 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Michael Carrick named an unchanged side following the 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, with Bruno Fernandes immediately making an impact by hitting the crossbar in the early stages.
United looked the more dangerous of the two teams in the opening 45 minutes, but despite creating several chances, they couldn't find a breakthrough. Everton remained competitive and threatened at times, ensuring the match stayed finely balanced heading into the interval.
The visitors finally took control shortly after half-time. Just 53 seconds after the restart, Bryan Mbeumo burst forward and finished well to give United the lead and put the pressure back on the home side.
Everton refused to back down and began throwing more players forward as they searched for a response. Their efforts were rewarded when Tyrique George struck a powerful shot beyond Senne Lammens with less than 10 minutes remaining. United quickly regained the advantage, however, as Luke Shaw delivered a pinpoint cross for Benjamin Šeško to convert.
It looked as though Šeško's goal would be enough to secure three points, but Everton produced one final twist. Ainsley Maitland-Niles found the net with a superb effort deep into stoppage time, rescuing a point for the hosts and leaving United frustrated after twice being ahead.
Carrick explains what went wrong for Man Utd
The draw against Everton leaves Man Utd with one win, one draw, and a loss from their opening three fixtures, as United's mixed start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign continues.
Speaking to NBC after the game, Michael Carrick reflected on his side's performance, saying that individual errors made things difficult for United.
“There was a lot of good things in the game for us. We played some really good football, were dangerous at times.
"For the most part we defended well as a team. The longer the game went on there were a few more balls into the box and a few decisions we made it more difficult for us when we should’ve seen it out really. We’re disappointed we didn’t come away with a win.”
When asked about the specifics, Carrick replied with, "“I’ll keep them to myself a little bit but we should’ve seen the game out really so we’re disappointed with that.”
“There were two great strikes to be fair. We didn’t give them real clear chances. We defended well. They had a few bits that dropped around the edge of the box. We defended the box pretty well for the most part. We look to the reasons how they ended up getting those opportunities but those were really good strikes.
“There was a lot of good things. Especially early on in the game, and probably towards the end, not so much. We looked dangerous. I thought we called a lot of problems. They got really good goals for different reasons and our second one should’ve been a winner.”
Man Utd may have made a mistake with their transfers
Manchester United have now conceded six goals in the Premier League, the fourth most out of any side in the league, as Carrick's side sit in 11th place.
United's summer business rightly focused on adding key depth to the midfield to finally address an area that had needed reinforcements for a couple of seasons prior to the summer.
Continuing INEOS' trend of transfer business, it's expected that the defence will be the main focus of United's spending next summer, ahead of Manchester United's Project 150, with the aim of winning the league by 2028.
Judging by the club's first three games, it may have become clear why the strategy of reinforcing one area of the pitch each window is not something clubs often use.
