A second half goal by Andros Townsend denies Manchester United all three points at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Follow Us
A much-changed Manchester United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday. The Reds took the lead through Anthony Martial two minutes before half-time. But Rafa Benitez’s visiting side hit back with a stunning equaliser on 65 minutes from a breath-taking counter attack through Andros Townsend. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had surprisingly rotated his Starting XI from the team that had defeated Villarreal 2-1 with a late goal in the Champions League last Wednesday. Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba missed out on starting spots, as the duo had to settle for a place on the bench.
The pre-match talk was focused on Solskjaer’s team selection, as Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani got a rare starting opportunity. Martial rose high in the sixth minute to connect with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross following good work from the right-back. But, the Frenchman couldn’t get over the ball, as he headed it wide. After 21 minutes, the home side got the clearest chance so far in the match when Fred’s long cross was met by Cavani. The South American’s well-struck header was pawed away for a corner by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Everton also had the odd chances, with Michael Keane glancing a header just wide from an Andros Townsend free-kick. After 33 minutes, United’s Champions League hero David De Gea was at his usual best, saving well to keep out Demarai Gray as a lively encounter started to shape up well.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 43rd minute with a neat finish from Martial. A sweeping move involving Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes found the Frenchman powering in from the left and hitting the ball past the goalkeeper with a right-foot strike.
Solskjaer made two early changes after the break, bringing on Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho for Martial and Cavani in the 56th minute. However,
It was Everton who got back into the match, equalising after 65 minutes. The visitors cleared a Fernandes corner and raced quickly upfield to catch out the Reds on a blistering counter attack. Gray and Doucoure stretched the United players and calmly teed up Andros Townsend for a well-timed finish in the box to make it 1-1.
Ole then brought on Paul Pogba for Fred after 70 minutes, as the home side were pushing desperately for the three points. Ronaldo flashed a shot across the face of the goal after 74 minutes, following good work by Sancho. Substitutes Sancho and Pogba combined after 81 minutes for the Frenchman to curl a right footer just wide.
With minutes ticking away, Everton thought they had scored the winner after 85 minutes when Yerry Mina had a simple tap in. To the relief of the hosts, VAR stepped in to cancel out the goal for offside. Then, Ronaldo presented Sancho with a chance, but his shot lacked power and it was an easy stop for his England teammate Jordan Pickford. With nothing to separate both teams, the match ended 1-1.
