The reds were left frustrated as a last gasp equaliser denied them all three points. Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko appeared to have given them a second win. They were unable to hold out though.
For Everton, it was a major boost after a difficult week. They had already levelled up once prior to Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ scorcher. They remain undefeated this season in spite of everything.
Michael Carrick named the same lineup that started last weekend’s win over Ipswich Town. The one change to the matchday squad saw Mason Mount start on the bench for the first time. Marcus Rashford was making his 300th Premier League appearance.
David Moyes made one change from their draw with Bournemouth. Iliman N’diaye was sold to Manchester City on transfer deadline day. He was replaced by Brennan Johnson. Their arrivals of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jack Grealish were both on the bench.
Harry Maguire was in the wars early on. He appeared to break his nose in an ariel challenge with Thierno Barry. He required patching up, but was okay to continue.
The first real chance of the game also almost brought the opening goal on eight minutes. Neat buildup from the visitors led to Marcus Rashford releasing the overlapping Luke Shaw. His chipped cross was headed down by Bryan Mbeumo into the path of Bruno Fernandes. His first-time effort smacked the crossbar.
Everton fans screamed for a penalty shortly after when Barry went to ground under pressure from Lisandro Martinez. The referee was uninterested though.
United continued to come forward and had half-chances via Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian then was presented a decent opportunity after good work from Mbeumo and Rashford. He was only able to put his effort over the bar.
The home side did have a pair of chances from Barry just before the break. His headers were off target on both occasions.
It was the away side who went in front early in the second-half. Rashford found Mbeumo out on the right. He glided past three players before curling his effort into the bottom corner.
United were in control and appeared the more likely to score a second. They had a strong shout for a penalty after Cunha went to ground in the area. John Brooks waved away the claims which didn’t go to VAR surprisingly.
Rashford had been bright throughout so it was a surprise to see him come off for Patrick Dorgu in the 69th minute. Benjamin Sesko was also introduced.
Everton were beginning to build up the pressure as the game approached the last quarter. They won a succession of set-pieces as Utd’s bookings increased. The best chance saw a flicked header from Jarrad Branthwaite punched clear by Senne Lammens.
They got their reward on 83 minutes. Hayden Hackney, a rumoured target for Utd, picked up the ball on the edge of the area. His initial pass was straight at Maguire, but came back out to him. He spread it wide to Tyrike George who took a touch before blasting past Lammens.
They were only level for five minutes though. Fernandes found Shaw with a neat pass who clipped a dangerous cross into the area. It was met by the head of Sesko for his first goal of the season. He also scored at this ground last season.
The game seemed to be drifting towards its conclusion before Everton struck once more. Jack Grealish and Hackney were involved in the buildup that appeared to have ended when Noussair Mazraoui picked up the ball. His clearance only fell to new arrival Ainsley Maitland-Niles. His curling effort through a crowd of players nestled right in the top corner.
The final whistle went almost straight away to the delight of the home supporters. Massively frustrating for Michael Carrick though. Two slips in concentration proving to costly yet again. There is little time to stew on the result though. United open their Champions League campaign on Thursday at home to Babah Baku before the Manchester derby on Sunday. Everton travel to Tottenham on Sunday.
Everton: Jordan Pickford, Merlin Rohl (Hayden Hackney 75), James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaly Mykolenko, Harrison Armstrong, James Garner (Ainsley Maitland-Niles 77), Brennan Johnson (Jack Grealish 67), Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrike George, Thierno Barry
Subs not used: Mark Travers, Michael Keane, Jake O’ Brien, Tyler Dibling, Carlos Alcaraz, Braiden Graham
Booked: Harrison Armstrong (13), Brennan Johnson (34), Merlin Rohl (64)
Sent Off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot (Leny Yoro 83), Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (Noussair Mazraoui 90+1), Kobbie Mainoo (Andrey Santos 83), Youri Tielemans, Matheus Cunha (Benjamin Sesko 69), Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford (Patrick Dorgu 69), Bryan Mbeumo.
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, , Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven.
Booked: Luke Shaw (62), Harry Maguire (78), Diogo Dalot (79)
Sent Off: None
Referee: John Brooks
Attendance: 52,302
Simply Red Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford
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