Ibrahimovic is on the spot to rescue United
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 United back from the brink of defeat against everton last night, coolly converting a penalty in the last minute of stoppage time after Ashley Williams was sent off for deliberately handballing Luke Shaw’s shot.
It was Ibrahimovic’s 27th goal in all competitions this season on his return from a three-match ban and underlined his enduring importance to Jose Mourinho’s side.
But the night had begun with his warning that United must get their act together if he is to hang around much longer.
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 team with a fraction of their resources and expectations.
When Ibrahimoivic spoke to MUtV 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 home this season. Mourinho may have gone 20 league games unbeaten 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, and that prospect is fast approaching.
Ibrahimovic’s return could not come soon enough for a United team desperately in need of goals and a victory to improve their turgid home form.
So it was no surprise to see Ibrahimovic reinstated to the starting line-up at the first opportunity along with midfielder Ander herrera who had served a two-match ban.
Paul Pogba returned from injury on the bench next to Shaw whose clear-the-air talks with Mourinho on Monday morning had earned him a recall to the squad, but Wayne rooney was absent with what was described as an ankle problem.
United were well on top but the Premier League’s top scorer romelu Lukaku, sold to everton by Mourinho when he was in charge at Chelsea, reminded them of the threat that he posed in the 16th minute.
the Belgian spun effortlessly past Marcos rojo and was threatening to burst through until he was stopped in his tracks by a crunching challenge from eric Bailly.
It was not a good first half for rojo and the Argentine could not prevent everton taking the lead in the 22nd minute.
United conceded a corner when David de Gea kept out Kevin Mirallas’ effort at his near post.
the ball was swung over from the right to Williams, who headed it towards the far post. rojo looked to have Phil Jagielka covered but was not strong enough in the challenge as the everton skipper re-positioned his body and managed to flick the ball past rojo and through De Gea’s legs.
United twice came close to an equaliser before half-time only to find Joel robles in fine form. 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 herrera reached the loose ball first only to fire it against the bar from a tight angle.
Mourinho’s response at halftime was to summon Pogba off the bench in place of Blind as he switched to a back three and United’s £89million man almost rewarded him with a goal within ten minutes.
Ashley Young swung in a freekick 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.
As Ibrahimovic fought to drag his side back into the game, he could have been forgiven for thinking that he is indeed wasting his time. then came his late, equalising penalty to save the day to the relief of Mourinho.
the United boss said: ‘the goal finally arrived and at least you don’t have the feeling of defeat.
‘the players gave everything. the performance from a football point of view was not good but I am very pleased with the effort.’