Let’s take a look at the Player Ratings from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford.
Manchester United lost a crucial three points as Everton held them to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
To the shock of countless fans, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made some bold changes in his line-up. Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba were on the bench in favor of Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial. Jadon Sancho, Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek failed to start once again.
However, Martial repaid Solskjaer’s faith by handing Manchester United a half-time lead. The Frenchman finished a well-worked team move to find the back of the net in the 43rd-minute, albeit with the aid of a slight deflection.
He is back 🙌
MARTIAL GOAL AND RONALDOS REACTION #MUNEVE
🎥 @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/dflb4uZCZV— 🌟 VARANE🌟 (@Saif07799953) October 2, 2021
It was enough to hand United control in an opening period that could’ve gone either way. The hosts had their chances early on. Everton keeper Jordan Pickford superbly saved an effort from Cavani, while Martial sent an early header wide of the goal.
At the other end, David de Gea made a good low stop to prevent Demarai Gray from handing Everton a surprise lead from a quick counter.
Townsend equalizes, does Ronaldo’s ‘Siuu!’ celebration
Into the second half, United made a decent start and put Everton under early pressure. Solskjaer then brought on Ronaldo and Sancho for Cavani and Martial respectively before the hour-mark.
The Red Devils boss’ bold choices suddenly didn’t look so bad, and fans at Old Trafford were even singing ‘Ole’s at the wheel’.
But a quick Everton counter-attack against the run of play saw Townsend fire in an equalizer. The home crowd went mute and the away fans rejoiced. To rub it in Ronaldo’s face, Townsend did the Portuguese’s trademark ‘Siuu!’ celebration.
Andros Townsend really hit Cristiano Ronaldo's Siuuuu at Old Trafford 😳 pic.twitter.com/pqdGVDV6UB
— Goal (@goal) October 2, 2021
Solskjaer tried to swing the game back into United’s favor by replacing Fred with Pogba. His three substitutes, however, didn’t make the desired impact. Ronaldo and Sancho linked up well, but couldn’t find a winner. Pogba had some chances, although couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the end, United were fortunate to escape defeat after VAR correctly ruled a Yerry Mina goal for Everton as offside late in the game.
The shared point at Old Trafford moves United and Everton level on 14 points with Premier League leaders Liverpool in second and third places respectively.
But both could slip down to sixth and seventh at the end of the weekend as Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Brighton, and West Ham are yet to play.
Player ratings
Manchester United: De Gea (6); Wan-Bissaka (7), Lindelof (5), Varane (6), Shaw (7); Fred (5), McTominay (6); Greenwood (7), Fernandes (7), Martial (7); Cavani (5).
Subs: Ronaldo (6), Sancho (6), Pogba (6).
Everton: Pickford (7); Godfrey (7), Mina (7), Keane, (6) Digne (7); Townsend (8), Doucoure (8), Allan (6), Gordon (6); Gray (7); Rondon (6).
Subs: Davies (6).
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