Zlatan saves blushes with late leveller on his return

ANOTHER draw for Manchester United, another example of why Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels he may be wasting his time at Old Trafford.

It just had to be the Swedish star who dragged Jose Mourinho’s side back from the brink of defeat to Everton last night on his return from a three-match ban. The striker converted a penalty in the last minute of injury time after Ashley Williams was sent off for deliberately handballing Luke Shaw’s shot.

It was Ibrahimovic’s 27th goal in all competitions in a season that has seen him emerge as United’s talisman. But the night had begun with his warning that the club must get their act together if he is to hang around and ended with more evidence to support his argument.

United might have hit the bar twice, Ibrahimovic might have had an effort controversially ruled out for offside, but they were still a whisker away from losing to an Everton side with a fraction of their resources and expectations.

‘ We don’t have squads like Manchester United or Chelsea,’ said Ronald Koeman afterwards, having been seconds away from becoming the first manager in Premier League history to win three away games in a row at Old Trafford.

‘You sign before the game for one point, but not how the game went. The penalty was the right decision but it was really hard to take.’

When Ibrahimovic spoke before the match about not wanting to ‘waste time’ at this stage of his decorated career, this is what he meant. United are a long way short of the finished article.

It’s now nine Premier League draws at Old Trafford this season. They have dropped 21 points at home. Even if Mourinho wins his last three home league games – which include the visit of Chelsea – he can only equal United’s home record during David Moyes’ solitary season in charge. Louis van Gaal is some way ahead.

The late penalty may have extended his unbeaten run in the league to 20 games, but his hopes of a top-four finish are dwindling.

The United manager has said that he will start fielding weakened teams to prioritise Champions League qualification through the Europa League. That scenario is fast approaching.

‘It’s more difficult, very difficult,’ said Mourinho. ‘It is mathematically possible but depends on our opponents. It is an amazing run of 20 matches unbeaten but too many draws at home. Because of that we are in the position we are.

‘We build well but we don’t score enough goals, we don’t kill off enough opponents and at the end of this season I think we will be punished by that.’

Credit must go to Everton for a resolute performance after they took the lead against the run of play in the 22nd minute.

United conceded a corner when David de Gea kept out Kevin Mirallas’ effort at his near post after Gareth Barry had found his teammate in the box with a clever pass.

The ball was swung over from the right to Williams who headed it towards the far post. Marcos Rojo looked to have Phil Jagielka covered but was not strong enough in the challenge as the Everton skipper positioned his body and managed to flick the ball over his head, past Rojo and through De Gea’s legs. Otherwise, the United keeper was rarely troubled, although it took two fine challenges from Eric Bailly to stop the marauding Romelu Lukaku after he had left Rojo trailing.

Joel Robles was considerably busier in the other goal as United pressed for an equaliser.

The Everton goalkeeper clawed Daley Blind’s free-kick out of the top corner on the half-hour mark and was in the back of his own net when Ander Herrera reached the loose ball first but fired it against the bar from a tight angle.

Then Robles produced another fine save to turn Herrera’s 20-yard effort around the post.

Mourinho’s response at half time was to summon Paul Pogba off the bench after two games out with a hamstring injury.

United’s £89million man almost rewarded him with a goal within 10 minutes of the restart.

Ashley Young swung in a free kick and Pogba was sandwiched between two defenders when he headed the ball against the bar. It was the ninth time he has hit the woodwork for United this season.

Ibrahimovic thought he had brought United level in the 71st minute when he met Herrera’s cross with a header that even Robles could not prevent from crossing the line, but the Swede was adjudged to be offside. It was a very close call and perhaps summed up United’s frustration on the night.

‘We scored two legal goals but I tell you with a smile on my face because I am not upset with the linesman,’ said Mourinho. ‘A really difficult decision for him, only video replay could help this.’

United threw men forward with increasing desperation but it looked as though their efforts would be in vain until deep into injury time.

Shaw had been included on the bench after clear-the-air talks with Mourinho on Monday morning and was sent on to replace the injured Young in the second half.

It was his shot from the edge of the box that led to Williams’ handball and referee Neil Swarbrick’s straightforward decision to award a penalty, then send off the Everton defender.

Ibrahimovic stepped up to deliver again. He has exceeded expectations this season. Now United must satisfy his expectations in order to keep him at Old Trafford.