Gary Neville harshly criticized two Manchester United players for their poor performance today.
A dramatic and controversial encounter unfolded as Everton and Manchester United played out an intense draw, with the biggest talking point being a last-minute VAR decision that denied Everton a late penalty and potential victory.
Everton came out strong, capitalizing on Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities. Beto continued his impressive form, scoring in the 19th minute after United failed to deal with a corner. Before the break, Abdoulaye Doucouré doubled the lead, reacting quickly to a rebound following Andre Onana’s save. The partnership of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt at the back looked disjointed, struggling to cope with Everton’s attacking pressure.
The second half saw a reinvigorated Manchester United side, fueled by tactical adjustments from Ruben Amorim. The introduction of Alejandro Garnacho added a new dimension to United’s play, and in the 72nd minute, Bruno Fernandes curled in a stunning free-kick to halve the deficit. With momentum shifting, Manuel Ugarte leveled the score eight minutes later, striking a brilliant volley from the edge of the box. United looked set to complete their comeback, but the drama wasn’t over.
Deep into stoppage time, Ashley Young went down under challenges from Maguire and De Ligt, prompting referee Andy Madley to award Everton a penalty. However, a VAR review led to the decision being overturned, ruling no foul had occurred. The call enraged Everton fans, who believed their team had been unfairly denied a match-winning opportunity. The Premier League later issued a statement clarifying that the review found no clear infringement, but that explanation did little to ease the frustration among Everton supporters.
Beyond the controversy, individual performances stood out. Casemiro struggled to make an impact and was substituted early in the second half, while Fernandes played a crucial role in United’s resurgence with his leadership and technical brilliance. Despite the fightback, defensive concerns remain for Manchester United, with Maguire and De Ligt once again exposed at the back.
The result leaves United in 15th place, three spots below Everton, highlighting the ongoing challenges Amorim faces in bringing stability to his squad. For Everton, the draw felt like a missed opportunity given their early dominance, but their performance under David Moyes showed promise. The aftermath of the match will likely be dominated by debates over the VAR decision, with many questioning whether Everton were unfairly denied a crucial three points.
