Normal service resumes as Manchester United come up short in draw against Everton

Manchester United 1-1 Everton: Mason Greenwood salvaged a point for the hosts but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were far from their best

Manchester United's players after the final whistle at Old Trafford (Getty)

Normal service is resumed. After last week’s big wins, Manchester United come back down to earth. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side eventually rescued a point against Everton through teenager Mason Greenwood’s equaliser but this was an uninspiring affair, far removed from those victories over Tottenham and Manchester City.

Duncan Ferguson will be delighted. The Everton caretaker raised his fists to the away end at full time, having negotiated two difficult opening games and taken four points. And for long spells, it looked like Victor Lindelof’s first-half own goal would give him a second win in charge.

It was not to be, and Ferguson’s treatment of Moise Kean will be questioned. Kean was introduced as a substitute after 70 minutes, only to be removed another 18 minutes later. He refused to acknowledge his manager and slowly trudged down the Old Trafford touchline, straight to the dressing room.

But that will not overshadow an excellent point that keeps Everton’s heads above water while the search for a new manager continues. United, meanwhile, suffer another blow in their hopes of a top-four finish. Beating the big boys is all well and good, but 12 points dropped against the bottom seven is the other side to the story.

This was a scrappy game with neither team looking to play much through midfield. In Everton’s case, that was understandable - a spate of injuries in the middle of the park saw centre-half Mason Holgate filling in alongside Tom Davies - but United could not fall back on the same excuse.

In fairness, Solskjaer’s direct approach nearly paid off early on. Marcus Rashford and Daniel James both latched onto long passes and fired wide of goal within minutes of each other. But by and large, this was yet another example of United struggling when denied space to play into.

Everton’s style under Ferguson is not exactly sophisticated either but it is getting a tune out of these players. Not long before they took the lead, and despite heavy rainfall over Old Trafford, he tore off his suit jacket and stood exposed to the elements in a plain white shirt. Not the most subtle of messages, maybe, but it spelled out the defiant attitude he demands from his side.

Their breakthrough came shortly after when Leighton Baines’ inswinging corner from the right bounced in off Lindelof’s shins. De Gea had attempted to collect the ball but was impeded by Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s arm, stretched out across his face. VAR briefly reviewed the incident but gave the goal regardless.

It was an odd decision given the protection which goalkeepers are usually offered but De Gea was not blameless. Even without Calvert-Lewin’s obstruction, his effort to claim Baines’ corner was poor. It is nothing new. For a goalkeeper who is generally considered to be among the best around, he is often unconvincing in such situations.

Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring United's equaliser (Getty)

United’s struggles continued at the start of the second half, leading Solskjaer to turn to the bench. Greenwood’s 65th-minute introduction sparked more life into United, with James and Lindelof both going close in quick succession, but it was the teenager who eventually restored parity.

Greenwood’s greatest attribute may be his two-footedness. It certainly outfoxed Baines, who expected the youngster would shoot with his right. Greenwood instead cut left and, from the edge of the penalty area, found the bottom-right hand corner. The teenager now has seven goals this season despite only being a sporadic presence.

Greenwood has been one consistent positive this season. There have been far too few of them. Jose Mourinho was sacked after taking 26 points from 17 games last year. Solskjaer, after the same number of games, has 25. Last week’s wins have bought him plenty of time but this was a reminder of the distance left to travel.