"We are disappointed that we didn't come away with a win," Michael Carrick said after Manchester United were twice in front and still let Everton back into the game at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored Everton's equaliser in the 96th minute, and Carrick's tone was all about missed control rather than missing chances.

United let the game slip

Carrick said United had "a lot of good things" in the match and that they "looked dangerous at times". He also pointed to the defensive work, saying they "defended really well as a team" for most of the night.

The frustration came from how the game ended. "Today was different from the others; it was about finishing the game off more than anything because we were in a really good position," he said. He also called the second goal "the winner for us", which is what makes the result sting from United's side.

That frustration fits the wider start to the season. United have conceded 6 goals across their opening three league matches, and the late goal at Everton felt like another example of the same problem. The attack did enough to put them in front twice, but the final phase of the match was where control disappeared.

Rashford's fitness concern

Carrick's other concern was Marcus Rashford, who was withdrawn after feeling "a little bit of something". That update matters because Rashford has made only 1 Premier League appearance this season, so even a minor issue is a team news problem worth watching.

Carrick said Rashford and Luke Shaw had "a good understanding" down the left, and that they "look really dangerous down that side". The substitution cuts across that link-up just as United were trying to hold onto the lead.

Tyrique George also played a part in the Everton response, scoring in the 83rd minute before Benjamin Sesko put United back ahead in the 88th. Everton then found the late equaliser through Maitland-Niles, with David Moyes later saying Jack Grealish is still being built back up after six and a half months out and has played only 24 Premier League minutes for Everton.

United now move on with the sense that this was one they should have closed out. Carrick's own words made that plain, and the next league outing will already carry a different kind of pressure.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →