Match Report: Manchester United 2-2 Everton | OneFootball

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw with Everton in their final match of the Premier League Summer Series.

While Man United were the dominant side overall, an embarrassing defensive mix-up allowed Everton to find an equaliser against the run of play.

Still, one point was enough for United to win the Premier League Summer Series – a nice little boost ahead of the new season.

First half

The match got off to a promising start, with both teams attempting to burst forward in search of an early opener.

Four minutes in, Amad Diallo sprinted down the right flank before threading a through ball to Matheus Cunha, whose effort veered inches wide of the far post. It was a truly promising counter-attack by United, showing just how lethal they can be.

Following a foul, United gave Everton a free-kick. James Garner took a threatening shot, forcing a diving save from Altay Bayindir. The rebound fell into the path of Jake O’Brien, whose shot hit the upright.

14 minutes in, Beto sped past Matthijs de Ligt to go one-on-one with Bayindir. While he beat the goalkeeper and buried the ball in the back of the net, the offside flag was raised.

Moments later, Amad embarked on another run, with Cunha receiving the ball on the edge of the box. He took a shot that forced a block from the Everton defence.

17 minutes in, United received a penalty. In yet another blistering counter-attack, Amad surged into the box before being taken down by James Tarkowski.

Bruno Fernandes confidently sauntered up to take the spot kick, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. 1-0 to United with 19 minutes on the clock.

Rather than become complacent, United continued to build on their advantage, pressing the Everton defence and holding up the ball in their half.

Fernandes forced a save by Pickford from far range, with Bryan Mbeumo pouncing on the rebound, only for a defensive wall to block his effort. Yet again, some great attacking intensity from Ruben Amorim’s men.

Diogo Dalot showed bravery to dispossess Beto with a sliding tackle in the box, only to see the striker’s boot go into his side. While visibly in pain, Dalot was able to rise to his feet and continue the match.

Six minutes from the break, Everton found an equaliser. Manuel Ugarte fell while in possession, allowing Everton to intercept. Iliman Ndiaye got on the end of the spontaneous counter, making no mistake as he got the better of Bayindir.

On the stroke of half-time, Ugarte took a speculative shot from outside the box that Pickford managed to catch.

After one minute of stoppage time, the first half came to a close with the score at 1-1. It was a pity that United conceded late in the half, having clearly been the dominant side for most of the contest.

Amorim would have surely had plenty to say to his team in order to motivate them to victory in the second 45 minutes.

Second half

Coming back out onto the pitch, United looked confident and in control, maintaining possession during the early stages of the second half.

There was only one change, with Patrick Dorgu coming on for Bryan Mbeumo.

55 minutes in, Cunha burst down the left flank, slotting a through ball into the centre of the box, only for James Garner to cut it out. While calls for a penalty were sounded due to a handball, only a corner was given.

Amorim decided to make a triple change, with Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, and Ayden Heaven coming on to replace Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Kobbie Mainoo.

In the 69th minute, one of United’s substitutes made all the difference.

Fernandes carried the ball into the box, laying it off to Mount, who had his back to goal. With minimal time wasted, Mount swivelled around and drilled his shot into the far corner, restoring United’s lead.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Cunha was replaced by Rasmus Hojlund while Ugarte made way for Casemiro.

Moments later, disaster struck as United allowed Everton to equalise. Heaven was nowhere to be seen as Maguire and De Ligt were left outnumbered.

While Heaven was able to track back, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Amad placing the ball into his own net, catching Bayindir completely off guard. It was an embarrassing moment to forget for the United’s defence.

With little under seven minutes to play, Maguire made a crucial challenge to stop Everton from finding a winner.

Five minutes from the final whistle, Dorgu got on the end of a sublime pass from Mount, taking a shot from the left to force a save from the keeper.

In the 88th minute, De Ligt appeared to be injured, hobbling off the field as Amorim replaced him with Tyler Fredericson.

Three minutes of added time flew by as United held out to win the Premier League Summer Series. While the draw with Everton was disappointing, it was encouraging to see United win some pre-season silverware as a morale-booster ahead of the upcoming season.

Starting XI: Bayindir, Dalot, De Ligt, Fernandes, Cunha, Yoro, Amad, Mbeumo, Shaw, Ugarte, Marino Subs: Dorgu, Maguire, Mount, Heaven, Fredericson

Featured image AJ Reynolds via Getty Images

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