Manchester United’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Everton has left Michael Carrick facing another wave of questions after his side threw away a crucial victory in the final seconds.
What looked like a statement away win suddenly turned into another painful setback when Ainsley Maitland-Niles produced a stunning stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point for Everton.
The result was particularly difficult to accept because United had twice taken the lead.
Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead after an impressive attacking move, only for Tyrique George to bring Everton level with a powerful strike. Benjamin Sesko then appeared to have delivered the winning moment with an 88th-minute header, but Maitland-Niles had the final word with a spectacular long-range effort in the sixth minute of added time.
For Carrick, the disappointment was obvious.
The United manager admitted afterwards that the result felt like a defeat, and it is easy to understand why. His team had done enough during large portions of the match to put themselves in a winning position, yet they failed to manage the final moments properly.
This is becoming the biggest concern surrounding United.
The attack is showing genuine improvement. Mbeumo continues to provide energy and directness, Rashford looked dangerous before being withdrawn, and Sesko made an immediate impact from the bench.
But at the other end, United remain vulnerable.
Six goals conceded across the opening three league matches is a statistic that will worry Carrick, particularly with the Manchester derby coming up next weekend.
The defensive problems cannot simply be blamed on one individual.
United were twice in front and had opportunities to control the match, but Everton kept finding ways back into the contest. Once the pressure increased late on, United struggled to completely shut the door.
That is where experienced game management becomes essential.
When you are leading in the closing stages, sometimes the objective is no longer to chase another goal. It is about controlling possession, slowing the tempo, winning second balls and making the opposition desperate.
United failed to do that convincingly.
And now Carrick has another difficult week ahead.
The image of a devastated United camp after Maitland-Niles’ equaliser tells the story perfectly. A victory that could have provided momentum instead became another reminder that this team still has serious work to do defensively.
There were positives.
Kobbie Mainoo impressed in midfield, Rashford continued to show encouraging signs, Mbeumo found the net again and Sesko demonstrated why there is excitement surrounding his arrival. Carrick also praised the attacking connections within his side after the match.
But positives will only matter if United start converting good performances into points.
Four points from the opening three league matches is not the disaster Carrick believes it is, but it is certainly below what many supporters expected after the summer changes.
The Everton draw therefore feels bigger than just two dropped points.
It is another warning.
United have enough quality to hurt teams, but they are still struggling to protect themselves when matches enter their most decisive moments.
Carrick now has to find the solution quickly.
Because if United continue throwing away winning positions, the pressure will only become heavier.
