Man Utd cannot ignore more dropped points despite positives
September 6, 2026 17:18
Manchester United were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Everton after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser. Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal of the season — his start having been held up by a shin injury — and United had looked set to leave with three points before late strikes from Tyrique George and, on his debut, substitute Ainsley Maitland-Niles turned the game on its head.
Despite positives in midfield and some individual displays, Michael Carrick’s side have now dropped five points from their opening three Premier League matches and have conceded two goals in each of those games.
KEY CONTEXT
- United’s pre-season took place in Europe and was expected to help them start the campaign strongly; the early league results have not matched that expectation.
- Kobbie Mainoo has been a consistent performer this season and, along with goalkeeper Senne Lammens, is seen as showing mental resilience after difficult World Cup or injury experiences.
- Everton’s late goals included a long-range strike by Tyrique George and a last-gasp effort from Maitland-Niles, who became the first Everton player to score from outside the penalty area on his Premier League debut.
- The club faces a busy week next, with the Champions League returning against Sabah FK of Azerbaijan followed domestically by a trip to Manchester City.
WHY IT MATTERS
Conceding twice in each of their opening three league fixtures leaves United with a slim margin for error if they are to pick up consistent wins. The defensive lapses that produced long-range goals at Everton underline an area Carrick has admitted needs improvement; persistent inability to keep clean sheets will make securing victories difficult. There are encouraging individual performances in midfield and attack, but the balance between offensive potential and defensive solidity is currently unresolved.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- How Carrick adjusts defensively to reduce the frequency of conceded goals, especially from distance.
- Whether United’s lack of late-window recruitment — notably no addition of a striker to back up Sesko — will influence squad rotation and goalscoring options as fixtures intensify.
- Performances in the immediate upcoming fixtures: the Champions League tie against Sabah FK and then the Premier League meeting with Manchester City, which will be a direct test of the squad’s current form and depth.
KEY FACTS
- Manchester United drew 2-2 at Everton after conceding an injury-time equaliser.
- Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal of the season after a shin injury had delayed his start.
- United have dropped five points from their first three Premier League games and have conceded twice in each match.
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored from outside the box on his Everton debut; it was the first time an Everton player had done so on a Premier League debut.
- United’s next fixtures are a Champions League match against Sabah FK and then a league trip to Manchester City.