Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has lauded two Manchester United players who completely changed the game against Everton in the Premier League.
Manchester United battled back to secure a Premier League point as second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte earned Rúben Amorim’s side a 2-2 draw against Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Everton started on the front foot, pressing United relentlessly, and their intensity paid off after just 20 minutes when Beto pounced on dreadful defending to net his fifth goal in four games.
Things went from bad to worse for United before the half-hour mark, as Abdoulaye Doucouré muscled past Harry Maguire to head home a rebound following a save from André Onana, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb at the break.
United looked more composed after the restart but remained second best for much of the contest. However, with 20 minutes left, Bruno Fernandes delivered a moment of inspiration, curling a stunning free kick into the net to pull one back. The comeback was complete shortly after, as Manuel Ugarte unleashed a brilliant strike to bring United level and set up a tense finale.
The closing stages were filled with drama, and Everton thought they had a last-gasp opportunity to win it when Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for bringing down Ashley Young in the box. However, VAR intervened to overturn the decision, ensuring that both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Ferdinand questions United’s fight
Speaking on TNT Sports after the full time whistle, former United defender Rio Ferdinand “
“You know what? I question the desire in this team,” Ferdinand said when he was asked for his thoughts on United’s 2-2 result.
“I question whether they had enough fight, whether they were willing to run hard enough, whether they were willing to go toe-to-toe with this Everton team. Goals change games, as Duncan [Ferguson] said so nicely in my ear in the studio.
“It does. And then we saw there was some fight and desire from this main United team. But they can’t continue like this. They’ve got to start games on the front foot. They’ve got to start games like they mean it.”
Two players changed the game
However, Ferdinand also went on to explain what he thought of the side’s second-half comeback, with the Premier League winner feeling Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho completely changed the game.
Read More: Manchester United’s five things noticed vs Everton as Rúben Amorim must continue second-half idea
In the final 30 minutes, Fernandes dropped into a deeper role as Garnacho came on for Casemiro, with the Argentina winger filling in Fernandes’ advanced position.
“I thought today the substitutions to the manager were big,” Ferdinand said.
“Garnacho comes on the pitch, changes things. Bruno dropping deep into the midfield areas. But there’s so many things you can pick this performance apart. But they were positive towards the end, which that’s where they’ve got to look.”
United have four days before they face Ipswich at Old Trafford, with former coach Kieran McKenna returning to United for the first time since he departed.
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