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Feb 22, 2025 09:43-05:00

Man Utd player ratings vs Everton: Harry Maguire, you're lucky - VAR and genius of Bruno Fernandes saves Ruben Amorim from further embarrassment after horror show at the back

The centre-back was culpable for a goal and then appeared to have given away a penalty before the officials bailed him out

Manchester United pulled off a memorable comeback in their final ever trip to Goodison Park, coming from two goals down at half-time to draw 2-2 at Everton thanks to the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes and the sheer bloody-mindedness of Manuel Ugarte. And yet they were lucky to escape with a point after VAR ruled out an added-time penalty for the hosts.

Everton took the lead in the 19th minute when United failed to clear their lines on multiple occasions and Beto nipped in to slam the ball in off the ground and into the net. Everton doubled their lead thanks to more slack defending from the Red Devils, Abdoulaye Doucoure coming from behind to leap in front of Maguire and score after Andre Onana had sent Jack Harrison's shot spinning into the air.

United looked utterly lost and on course for their 13th defeat of the season. But Fernandes pulled them out of the quagmire in the 72nd minute with a free-kick and suddenly Everton were the ones who were rattled and nervous. With their tails up, United won a free-kick and after chaos reigned in the area Ugarte pulled the trigger and fired into the net in the 80th.

The Red Devils looked destined to go on and win it but almost threw it away completely when Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt combined to pull down Ashley Young after Onana had saved from Idrissa Gueye. To the fury and disbelief of the home crowd, referee Andrew Madley was called to the monitor and over-ruled his earlier decision, handing United a massive reprieve.

GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Goodison Park...

Goalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (6/10):
Should have done better with the second goal but kept his head, winning lots of aerial balls and making two fine second-half saves.
Noussair Mazraoui (5/10):
More aware and committed than his fellow defenders and prevented things getting even worse.
Harry Maguire (3/10):
Didn't show his usual leadership and was desperately poor in aerial challenges, taken by surprise by Doucoure. A bad day got even worse when he pulled Young over but was let off the hook.
Matthijs de Ligt (3/10):
Looked rattled by the occasion and his surroundings. Nervous on the ball and lacking awareness, playing Beto onside after failing to clear his lines from the corner. His day was summed up when he conceded a corner trying to pass to Onana.

Midfield
Patrick Dorgu (6/10):
A solid performance in defence and going forwards, the one player who made things happen. It's a shame he had noone else on his wavelength.
Casemiro (4/10):
A liability in possession and lost the ball leading to the corner for the opener. Tried to compensate by breaking up play with some hefty challenges.
Manuel Ugarte (6/10):
His sloppy passing was an even bigger problem than usual next to Casemiro but his tenacity and commitment kept United going and his equaliser was stunning.
Diogo Dalot 5/10):
A sloppy pass led to an early Everton chance and it set the tone for a nervy performance.
Attack
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
Was dragged down by the general malaise and hit plenty of stray passes but was eventually the catalyst for the turnaround. Remembered his ability with his lovely fizzing free-kick and propelled United forward from then on.
Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):
Looked lost as usual up front, struggling to hold the ball up or get on the end of crosses. The closest he came to causing any danger was when he grazed Pickford's shin trying to meet a Dorgu pass.
Joshua Zirkzee (5/10):
Some good touches and some bad ones but his ball carrying ability helped United get back in it.

Subs & Manager
Alejandro Garnacho (5/10):
Didn't get on the ball much but his movement unsettled Everton.
Leny Yoro (4/10):
Nearly got his side in trouble playing out.
Chido Obi (5/10):
His massive presence made for a good focal point although his few touches did not lead to anything.
Ruben Amorim (6/10):
Looked exasperated with what he witnessed in the first half but his changes helped swing the game back in his side's favour.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Midfield

Attack

Subs & Manager