Zlatan’s spot on
Late Ibrahimovic penalty saves United but Mourinho bemoans his side’s lack of firepower
Manchester United 1 Ibrahimovic 90 Everton 1 Jagielka 22 Att: 75,272
Manchester United have not lost now in 20 Premier League matches but, to his credit, not even Jose Mourinho was going to pass off that unbeaten run as evidence of Manchester United’s resurgence when half of those games have ended in draws. Everton actually came within seconds of inflicting United’s first defeat in the competition since losing to Chelsea in October, although given how Mourinho bemoaned his team’s enduring wastefulness in another show-stopping post-match sermon, this must have felt like a defeat in the context of their dwindling top-four hopes.
That they clawed a point owed as much to the unlikely figure of Luke Shaw as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who converted the penalty the left-back had won after Ashley Williams had dived to save his goalbound shot and incurred a red card.
From looking down and out under Mourinho on Saturday, when Shaw’s focus, commitment and ambition were condemned, he could at least savour an unexpected shot in the arm here. There was still an interesting critique from the manager, though. “I will tell you because I told him – he had a good performance, it was his body with my brain,” Mourinho said, smirking. “He was in front of me and I was making every decision for him.
The communication was possible because we were very close, when to go inside, when to press the opponent. We need at this level the fantastic body he has, the fantastic physical qualities and technical ability but he cannot play with my brain. He must accelerate the process because 21 years old is old enough to have a better understanding of the game.”
United supporters, let alone Mourinho, will shudder at the thought of where the club would be this season without Ibrahimovic but not even another rescue act from the Swede could spare him some veiled criticism from his manager. Ibrahimovic had missed an excellent chance just four minutes into the game when he took a touch too many, giving Williams time to come across and block his shot. “The game always starts with a big chance being missed,” Mourinho said. “Always we have a big chance that the keeper saves or we miss and that has happened all season.”
United have had 36 shots in their past two home games against Everton and West Bromwich Albion, who held them to a goalless draw at the weekend, and have one penalty to show for it. United’s profligacy is becoming a psychological barrier.
That is especially the case with Marcus Rashford. The England striker was willing enough but he got short change out of Everton’s excellent Mason Holgate and, with-
out a goal for over six months in the league, his confidence is shot. “Yes, it’s easy to see, the kid is desperate,” Mourinho said. “He tries. It’s not a surprise for me, the second year after the first one by surprise. But the kid is phenomenal, an amazing professional.”
United hit the woodwork twice here, Herrera crashing a shot against the crossbar on the rebound from Daley Blind’s saved shot, and Paul Pogba heading against the bar. “Paul is the record of the post,” Mourinho said in reference to the United midfielder hitting the woodwork eight times this season.
United have drawn nine games at Old Trafford this term and have won just six matches – four less Leveller: Zlatan Ibrahimovic rescues a point for United from the penalty spot
Burnley at Turf Moor. Even if they win their remaining three home league games, they will still only equal the record under David Moyes in 2013/14.
“I think I made progress in many, many things but I was always a very pragmatic manager,” Mourinho said. “I don’t want now to sell you philosophy like some like to do. I stick with the numbers. Twenty matches unbeaten is amazing but we need to score goals to win matches.”
Ronald Koeman was rightly delighted with his team’s defensive display. Everton were unrecognisable from the team that lost 3-1 to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday. Koeman offered an explanation. “Because Manchester United play differently from Liverpool, different system, different pressing, I feel myself more comfortable here than how Liverpool tried to press.”
Everton took the lead midway through the opening period when Marcos Rojo and David De Gea conspired to make a hash of things. Kevin Mirallas’s corner was headed to the far post by Williams. Rojo was caught in two minds and Phil Jagielka capitalised on the United defender’s hesitation to hook the ball through the legs of De Gea. United lacked drive and, come the second half, Mourinho had thrown on Pogba, Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and went for route one. “I could feel some of the boys in trouble with the confidence levels so we started playing more direct.”
With the game entering the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, Shaw was unmarked in the penalty area and unleashed a shot. Williams stuck out a hand as he dived to save the ball and Robert Madley, the referee, pointed to the spot. Ibrahimovic did the rest.
Manchester United (4-1-4-1) De Gea 5; Young 6 (Shaw 65), Bailly 7, Rojo 6, Blind 6 (Pogba 45); Carrick 5 (Mkhitaryan 65); Lingard 6, Fellaini 7, Herrera 8, Rashford 5; Ibrahimovic 6. Subs Romero, Martial, Fosu-Mensah, Darmian. Booked Young.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Robles 7; Holgate 8, Jagielka 8, Williams 8, Baines 7; Gueye 7, Barry 7; Barkley 6 (Calvert-Lewin 80), Davies 6, Mirallas 6 (Pennington 67); Lukaku 6 Subs Stekelenburg, Valencia, Lookman, Kenny, Williams Booked Gueye, Barry, Davies. Sent off Williams.
Referee R Madley (West Yorkshire).