Leaking six goals in three matches, the Red Devils are struggling to protect leads. Michael Carrick demands immediate defensive discipline to stop squandering points against lower-half opposition.
Manchester United were denied victory at the Hill Dickenson Stadium as Everton fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw on Sunday. Michael Carrick kept faith with the team that beat Ipswich Town 5-2, and United started positively, with Bruno Fernandes going closest early on when his effort struck the crossbar.
The visitors remained threatening as the first half unfolded, creating several promising chances but failing to find the finishing touch. Everton also had moments of their own, but neither side could break the deadlock before half-time.
United needed less than a minute of the second half to finally find a way through. Bryan Mbeumo drove forward impressively before finding the back of the net just 53 seconds after the restart, giving Carrick's side the advantage.
Everton responded by pushing higher up the pitch, and their attacking pressure eventually resulted in an equaliser. With under 10 minutes remaining, Tyrique George fired a powerful effort past Senne Lammens. United appeared to have responded immediately when Luke Shaw's excellent delivery picked out Benjamin Šeško, who restored their lead late in the match.
But the drama was not over. In stoppage time, Ainsley Maitland-Niles produced a spectacular strike to level the score once again, ensuring Everton escaped with a point and leaving United to rue their inability to protect their advantage.
Michael Carrick explains what Man Utd must change
Manchester United have certainly enjoyed a mixed start to their 2026/27 Premier League campaign, having faced a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City before bouncing back to a commanding 5-2 win over Ipswich.
An away trip to Everton was always going to be tough, but United once again conceded twice against their opposition to make it four points from nine, rather than a much better-looking six points from nine, as United currently sit in 11th place.
Speaking after the game, Michael Carrick agreed that United have conceded too many goals so far this season, emphasising that his side needs to change this.
"Two superb goals, but there are things we must do better as a team, and that we can't IGNORE.
"We must concede fewer goals."
Man Utd's early defensive woes
Manchester United are conceding goals at quite a worrying rate, despite facing sides that you would think United should be beating after being given a favourable start to the 2026/27 league season.
After three games, United have conceded six goals, with just Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Fulham conceding more so far this season.
United's need for defensive reinforcement went a bit under the radar in the summer, with the club rightfully focusing on the midfield, while it was thought the backline would be the main area of reinforcement next summer to continue the trend of addressing one position each summer window.
While Lisandro Martinez has performed well so far, his and Matthijs de Ligt's injury issues leave Michael Carrick with very few reliable centre-back options, and he could be left with very thin defensive cover should a couple of his players pick up an injury.
