Wayne Rooney has assessed Manchester United’s performance after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton away from home in the third round of the Premier League.
Manchester United appeared to be on course for victory after scoring twice, but Everton fought back late to rescue a point. The result leaves United with four points from their opening three matches, while Everton have collected five.
The visitors took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo two minutes after half-time. Manchester United then extended their advantage when Benjamin Sesko scored in the 88th minute, putting his side in a strong position to claim all three points.
Everton refused to accept defeat, however, and their response came during a dramatic closing period. Tyrique George reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute, giving the home side renewed hope before Benjamin Sesko restored Manchester United’s two-goal advantage five minutes from the end.
The hosts continued to press and were rewarded deep into added time. Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored in the 96th minute to complete Everton’s comeback and ensure the points were shared.
Manchester United therefore left with only one point despite scoring twice and holding the lead on two occasions. Everton’s late recovery changed the outcome of a match in which the visitors had been close to securing their second win of the campaign.
The draw means Manchester United have taken four points from three Premier League fixtures. Everton are one point better off, with five points from the same number of games.
Rooney’s assessment comes against the backdrop of United’s failure to turn a winning position into victory. Everton’s two late goals, scored by Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, denied the visitors the chance to move on from the match with three points.
For Everton, the result represented a successful fightback after they had fallen behind to Bryan Mbeumo and later trailed by two goals following Benjamin Sesko’s strike. Manchester United, meanwhile, must settle for a draw after conceding in the closing stages of both halves of Everton’s comeback.
The 2-2 scoreline was confirmed by Maitland-Niles’ 96th-minute goal, completing a match in which Everton twice responded after Manchester United moved ahead.