Edinson Cavani was impressive, but David de Gea faltered as Manchester United were held to a 3-3 draw by Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Manchester United dominated the proceedings from start to finish, but it took them 24 minutes to break the deadlock. Indeed, midway through the first half, Edinson Cavani popped up to head in Marcus Rashford’s looping cross, as United grabbed a well-deserved lead. Thereafter, the hosts had a few more chances coming their way, but fluffed their lines on a couple of occasions.
Heading into half-time, though, Manchester United were two to the good, as Bruno Fernandes scored from a peach of a long-range strike. However, Everton were more purposeful post the break and pulled back on level terms just seven minutes in, thanks to quickfire strikes by Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez, helped greatly by David de Gea and the United defence.
Manchester United, though, went ahead with 20 minutes left, when Scott McTominay met Luke Shaw’s free-kick. However, the Red Devils were undone once again with the final shot of the game, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned Everton a point deep into injury time. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
David de Gea: 3/10
Just when you think that de Gea is showing signs of improvement, he produces some inexplicable howlers. The Spaniard practically handed Abdoulaye Doucoure the ball on the platter when his weak effort fell to the Everton midfielder. The Manchester United no. 1 could not have done much to deny James Rodriguez, but should have made himself bigger to thwart Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7/10
Another solid display by Wan-Bissaka, who combined superbly with Mason Greenwood on his flank while also playing one superb cross for Edinson Cavani and delivered a total of 2 key passes. There were a few nervy moments off the ball, but he was not too troubled for the most part.
Victor Lindelof: 5/10
A game of hits and misses for Lindelof, who was so reliable with the ball at his feet and misplaced just three of the 91 passes he attempted. However, the Swede could have been far more composed in crunch situations, although he was not directly culpable for any of the goals that Everton let in.
Harry Maguire: 4/10
A game of two halves for Maguire and the Manchester United defence. While he was not troubled a great deal in the opening 45 minutes, Maguire failed to keep the backline organised post the break, with the defenders all over the place when Everton scored two goals in quick succession. Played Calvert-Lewin on when the late equaliser was scored. Has to do better.
Luke Shaw: 8/10
Man Utd’s full-backs in their last two Premier League games:
⚽️?️?️ vs. Southampton
?️?️ vs. EvertonMuch improved in the final 1/3. ? pic.twitter.com/pCLrs8Z4bR
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 6, 2021
Another game, another dominant performance by Shaw; this is starting to become a regular occurrence. While there were a couple of moments to forget, especially in the build-up to the second Everton goal, when he could have defended better, the Englishman once again impressed on the ball. Grabbed the assist for Scott McTominay’s goal with a picturesque delivery from a free-kick.
Scott McTominay: 7/10
McTominay could have been rated higher if he did not lose his composure late in the game, when he gave the ball away in sloppy fashion. However, in the opening 70 minutes or so, the Scottish international hardly put a foot wrong and even gave Manchester United the lead again with a precise finish from Shaw’s free-kick. Needs to do better on the ball in crunch moments.
Paul Pogba: 6/10
A frustrating evening for Pogba, whose night lasted just 39 minutes, owing to a leg injury. Hardly surprising that Manchester United lost a bit of their dominance in midfield with him off the field. Solskjaer will hope his injury is not too serious.
Mason Greenwood: 7/10
He might not have a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, but Greenwood had a lot of joy on his flank, pouncing on Lucas Digne’s tendency to leave a lot of space in behind him. Hardly misplaced a pass while getting more involved in the build-up play. Starting to get accustomed to the demands of the right-wing berth.
Bruno Fernandes: 8/10
Bruno Fernandes has scored 4 Premier League goals from outside of the box since making his competition debut, only James Wars-Prowse has scored more [5] in that timeframe.
Impressive for a guy who only scores penalties. ? pic.twitter.com/DKd1q97uqE
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 6, 2021
Bruno Fernandes’s Manchester United stint has often been typified by his tendency to search for first-time passes and losing the ball as a result. Against Everton, though, the Portuguese was more steady with his passing, yet managed 3 key passes. The standout moment, though, was the moment of brilliance that saw him scored United’s second of the game. Linked up superbly with Cavani.
Marcus Rashford: 5/10
A game that promised so much from Rashford but also saw him leaving a lot to be desired. The English international produced a fine cross for Cavani to break the deadlock and carried a threat with his dribbling. However, his tendency to take one extra touch is proving to be quite frustrating and that was the case again on Saturday when he squandered a couple of clear-cut opportunities.
Edinson Cavani: 8/10
Isn’t Cavani loving life at Manchester United? The Uruguayan was a menace as the focal point of United’s attack, constantly troubling the Everton centre-backs with his movement. His link-up with Bruno Fernandes, in particular, was delightful while his headed finish from Rashford’s cross was superb. Might feel he could have added another later in the game.
Edinson Cavani has now scored four headed goals in the Premier League this season, only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has netted more (5).
El Matador rising highest again. pic.twitter.com/tAJyqid6Qw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 6, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Fred: 5/10
On for Pogba in the 39th minute, Fred had a hit-and-miss game. The Brazilian did well to get out of sticky situations when on the ball, boasting a 93 percent passing rate despite the relentless Everton press. However, Fred failed to mark James Rodriguez for the second goal that the Toffees scored.
Axel Tuanzebe: N/A
As is customary, a late substitute does not get rated. However, Tuanzebe would be kicking himself for being too eager when giving away the late free-kick which eventually led to Everton’s second equaliser.
