We’re a day on from another Premier League draw for Manchester United, as Leighton Baines’ late penalty allowed Everton to snatch a point at Goodison Park.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s clever lob gave the Reds the lead in the first half, but Marouane Fellaini’s brain fart in the final minute allowed the Toffees to get something from a game they frankly shouldn’t have.
It was another poor result and one that means United’s top four hopes get slimmer by the minute, with the Reds nine points off fourth-placed Manchester City heading into the busy Christmas period.
So, here are my quickfire thoughts from the game:
Marouane Fellaini – Seriously, what was the big Belgian thinking when he decided to bundle over Idrissa Gueye in the penalty area with a minute left? It was an absolute brainfart from Fellaini and one that cost his side dearly. He has his uses, but you simply cannot bring him on with five minutes on the clock to hold on to the lead – he is NOT a defensive midfielder.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – His goal was a piece of genius, audaciously lobbing Maarten Stekelenburg as the Everton keeper ran out of goal, but otherwise his performance was decidedly average. His touch wasn’t the best and he kept dropping far too deep to receive the ball, depriving United of a solid outlet up front. He may have scored six in six games now, but he needs to improve his all-round play somewhat.
Paul Pogba – After some good performances in recent weeks, Pogba had an erratic encounter against the Toffees. After missing out in United’s EFL Cup victory over West Ham in midweek due to suspension, a rest should have done him the world of good, but he looked a bit jaded, often giving the ball away with sloppy passes and held onto the ball far too long at times, looking to take two or three players on when he should be releasing the ball.
Marcos Rojo – A lucky, lucky man. Should have been sent off for a two-footed tackle on Gueye early in the first-half, but referee Michael Oliver contrived only to give him a booking. Although he did improve as the game wore on, showing the form that has helped him keep his place in the side, the Argentine’s tendency to have a horrific clanger from time to time means that he should be back on the bench once Eric Bailly works his way to full fitness.
Phil Jones – That’s six consecutive games without any problems for Jones and his performances in those six games have been encouraging. I had written off him ever getting a fit spell earlier in the season, but he’s proven me wrong and both Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly will have a tough time unseating Jones from his starting spot.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – United’s most threatening player in attack on the night. Once again displayed his talent, with his quickness and off the ball movement dazzling Everton’s defence. His workrate was also noticeable, especially when he bundled Tom Cleverley off the ball after losing it seconds earlier and starting the move that led to Ander Herrera hitting the woodwork on the hour mark. When he was taken off for Fellaini in the final minutes, you knew that United’s mindset had shifted and it would go on to cost them.
Schneiderlin’s days are numbered – Morgan Schneiderlin’s time at United may well be coming to an end shortly, with the Frenchman not even making the bench at Goodison Park. José Mourinho chose to use Fellaini as a defensive replacement ahead of him and that must speak volumes of Schneiderlin’s place in the United squad.
Substitutes – Speaking of Mourinho, his substitutions have been awful recently, none more so than on Sunday afternoon. It was completely understandable to take off Anthony Martial for Marcus Rashford in a like-for-like switch, but why even bring on Fellaini? Even if he wanted to see out the lead, he might as well have brought on Daley Blind (who dealt with Lukaku supremely in this fixture last season) or even a half-fit Eric Bailly. Both men are arguably better defensively and on the ball than the lanky Belgian.
