Manchester United looked destined to leave Merseyside with all three points, but a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser condemned Michael Carrick’s side to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Everton. And one substitution in particular has left plenty of United fans scratching their heads. 😡
Marcus Rashford was one of United’s liveliest attacking outlets before being withdrawn in the 70th minute. His pace and direct running had been causing Everton problems, while his understanding with Luke Shaw was creating a dangerous threat down the left.
Then came the change: Patrick Dorgu replaced Rashford. 🔄
For many supporters, it felt like United were taking away one of their biggest weapons at precisely the wrong moment.
The frustration becomes even greater when you consider what happened afterwards. United were twice in front, first through Bryan Mbeumo and later through Benjamin Šeško’s 88th-minute header, but Everton refused to surrender.
And United’s midfield was increasingly being tested.
That is why some fans will argue that Andrey Santos should have been introduced earlier to give the midfield fresh legs, greater physicality and more control instead of sacrificing Rashford’s attacking threat. Santos was among the substitutes alongside Dorgu and Šeško.
To be fair to Carrick, the decision to remove Rashford was not simply tactical. The manager explained afterwards that the forward felt something physically, forcing the change. Carrick also praised the attacking connection between Rashford and Shaw, admitting that the pair had looked dangerous together.
But that explanation will do little to ease the frustration after what followed. 😩
With United leading 2-1 deep into stoppage time, Everton produced one final moment of madness. Ainsley Maitland-Niles unleashed a spectacular long-range strike in the 96th minute, leaving United goalkeeper Senne Lammens with no chance and rescuing a point for Everton. 💥⚽
United had done enough offensively to win the match, but once again defensive vulnerability and an inability to manage the closing stages proved costly. It was the third consecutive match in which United conceded two or more goals, adding even more pressure to questions about their defensive resilience.
So the debate will continue:
Should Carrick have kept Rashford on if he was fit enough? 🤔
Should Santos have entered the game earlier to strengthen the midfield? 👀
Or was Rashford’s withdrawal simply unavoidable because of the physical issue he reported?
One thing is certain: Manchester United were seconds away from a huge away victory, yet they somehow walked away with only one point. 😭🔴
Two leads. Two Everton screamers. Two points dropped.
And Carrick will know that United cannot keep giving opponents opportunities to punish them this ruthlessly. 💔🔥