Five things learned as Manchester United draw 1-1 at Everton

Manchester United drew 1-1 with Everton in a hard fought game at Goodison Park.

Bruno Fernandes scored our goal, equalising a fortunate opener from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

United responded so well

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said before the game that this United side would not fold like last season’s 4-0 defeat.

This was put to an early test when a David de Gea mistake gifted Everton a goal.

United responded like nothing had happened, dominating possession and creating the better chances.

When Bruno Fernandes lashed in a long range strike after 31 minutes it was fully deserved.

If this match was a test of United’s character, the team passed it.

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Henderson calls will get louder

United’s preparations for the match were undone as early as the third minute when a rare David de Gea mistake gifted Everton a goal.

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He blasted the ball against Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the ball rebounding into the United net.

It was a clear goalkeeping error, the second howler he has made this season after the Watford game in December.

While United responded well, it’s worrying it happened in the first place.

Dean Henderson trended on Twitter during the game, which indicates how his impressive form out on loan combined with De Gea’s occasional mistakes will give United a difficult decision to make in the summer.

Diamond has value

United’s midfield moved to a diamond formation with success against Club Brugge in midweek.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued this at Goodison as a way to fit Scott McTominay into the team.

With no high quality wingers available, this is the best way for United to accommodate the midfield personnel available.

Nemanja Matic played well again and gives United’s defence protection and allows Fred greater license to get forward.

United played well too, and expect to see a lot more of this going forward. It will also suit Paul Pogba, if he ever returns.

Bruno Fernandes gets even better

Every game he plays, Bruno Fernandes does something a little different to show what an exciting player he is.

This match saw his first goal from open play for United. Jordan Pickford could have done better, but the speed and ferocity with which it was struck saw it fly into the bottom corner of the net.

In the first half Fernandes had 51 touches, more than any player on the pitch.

He is already an integral part of this United team and after just one month it seems like we would be lost without him.

Could have gone either way

United’s cause was not helped by poor refereeing from Chris Kavanagh.

There were harsh bookings for Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, which gave United’s defence little room for error.

There was also a ludicrous yellow card and free-kick awarded against Fred for a supposed handball on the edge of the box which could have cost United.

Kavanagh got one big call late though, disallowing a late Everton ‘winner’ due to an offside call.

The game could have gone either way as United tired late on. Jordan Pickford denied Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo and a point ended up leaving both teams frustrated.

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