Published : 09 Sep 2026, 12:08 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
A stunning stoppage-time strike from Ainsley Maitland-Niles denied Manchester United victory at Everton and exposed a familiar weakness: a side still short of the quality needed to challenge England’s elite.
Goal.com argued that the 2-2 draw was another sign of United’s troubled start under Michael Carrick, whose team has collected only four points against newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town and Everton.
Maitland-Niles, making his Everton debut after a £3 million move from Lyon, had scored only once in 12 years of Premier League football before curling a 25-yard effort into the top corner in the dying seconds.
Carrick insisted United would be “fine”, pointing to their mentality and effort, but their defensive record tells a less reassuring story.
United have conceded at least twice in each of their opening three league games for only the second time in 50 years, according to Goal.com.
Former United defender Gary Neville warned that the problem could become a season-defining weakness, saying opponents now believe they can score against them.
The concerns are particularly acute given the lack of meaningful defensive reinforcement. Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot remain the first-choice full-backs, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez continue to anchor the centre despite concerns over age, mobility and fitness.
United’s younger alternatives, including Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, remain inexperienced, while Matthijs de Ligt is sidelined with a chronic back injury.
The defensive shortcomings also cast doubt on INEOS’ three-stage recruitment plan. After spending about £215 million on attacking reinforcements last summer, the club invested another £155 million in midfield this year.
The plan is to overhaul the defence next summer, potentially with four new signings.
But after conceding 50 league goals last season, compared with Arsenal’s 27 and Manchester City’s 35, waiting another year looks increasingly risky.
