Staff Reporter.
Manchester United endured another frustrating afternoon in the Premier League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial put United ahead on 42 minutes before Andros Townsend levelled things up just after the hour mark. In a late twist, Yerry Mina’s late effort was ruled out for offside as both sides had to settle for a point.
The result increases the pressure on United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who have picked up one point in six and have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine league games — their worst defensive run in 50 years.Andros Townsend’s second-half equaliser earned Everton a deserved point against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer sprang a big surprise ahead of the match by dropping Christiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba to the bench, with Martial starting despite a meagre return of two goals in his past 24 appearances for the club ahead of the game. Everton, meanwhile, were without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlson through injury, while Alex Iwobi failed a late fitness test.
But Demarai Gray escaped the attentions of Fred and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Everton countered from a United corner, setting up the attack which ended with Townsend driving a low shot into the corner from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s lay-off.
Townsend celebrated in Ronaldo-esque manner. It was more than the man himself managed. Left on the bench after his injury-time winner against Villarreal on Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo came on in the 57th minute but had minimal impact either before or after the equaliser.
Everton thought they had a winner four minutes from time but VAR intervened to rule Yerry Mina’s tap-in out for offside.
The result completes a decidedly unimpressive run of home results for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, who lost against Aston Villa seven days ago after being dumped out of the EFL Cup by West Ham.