Manchester United faced Everton at Goodison Park on October 22, 2023, ending the match with a 2-2 draw. This encounter was particularly significant as it marked United's last visit to the historic venue, making the stakes even higher.
From the outset, the match displayed contrasting form between the two teams. Everton came off four wins and one draw, relishing their unbeaten run at home, whereas Manchester United struggled with recent losses. This mismatch was palpable as the game unfolded.
The first major opportunity came early for Manchester United when, just 12 minutes in, Dorgu received a well-placed pass. He attempted to set up Højlund for a strike, but Everton keeper Jordan Pickford anticipated the move and thwarted the effort. Following this scare, Everton struck first. At the 19-minute mark, chaos erupted within United's penalty area following a corner kick. A mishap from the defenders allowed Beto to capitalize, putting Everton on the board. The referee confirmed the goal after checking VAR, putting the home side 1-0 up.
Everton maintained their momentum, doubling their lead by the 33rd minute. Linström and Beto connected on the right flank, with Harrison unleashing a close-range shot. United's Onana made the initial save, but Doucouré quickly reacted, nodding the rebound home. Trailing 2-0, Manchester United faced mounting pressure as they struggled to gain composure after conceding two early goals.
Despite enjoying more possession throughout the first half, they failed to convert this advantage, summing up their wretched first half showcasing missed opportunities. The second half, though, saw United shift gears and begin mounting serious threats to Everton's defense. A tactical change occurred at the 62nd minute when manager Ruben Amorim introduced Garnacho for Casemiro, intensifying their attack.
The breakthrough finally arrived for United at 72 minutes. A free-kick was awarded just outside the box, and Bruno Fernandes took charge, expertly executing the kick and finding the back of the net. This cut Everton’s lead to 2-1, revitalizing United's hopes of salvaging the match. With newfound energy, United pushed forward, finding equal footing just eight minutes later when Doucouré's hesitant clearance was sent straight to Manuel Ugarte. He made no mistake from close range, scoring the equalizer and leveling the match at 2-2.
Yet the drama wasn't over yet. Late on, Everton appeared on the verge of winning when they were awarded a penalty kick deep in stoppage time after Matthijs De Ligt was called for pulling Ashley Young's jersey. To United's relief, the decision was overturned following VAR review, allowing United to breathe and maintain their hard-fought draw.
Although the game concluded as a tie, both teams left the pitch with lessons learned. "It was our last visit to Goodison Park, and we fought until the end to secure at least one point," remarked a Manchester United spokesperson. Everton's manager commented, "We started well but then lost our focus and allowed United to come back," reflecting the ebb and flow of confidence during the match.
With the draw, Manchester United stays at 15th place with 30 points, still battling for form as they head toward the challenges of the season. The story of their effort against Everton may yet serve as momentum as they look to surge upwards through the league.