**Manchester United allowed Everton to snatch a late point, but the reason why that happened was said by Harry Maguire after the Ipswich win. **
The late heartbreak deflated the mood at Man Utd as Michael Carrick’s side gave up the lead twice to leave Everton with a point.
You can’t account for wonderstrikes like the two Everton had, but to write this one off as simply a case of unlucky wondergoals would miss the actual problem.
That problem was identified by Harry Maguire after United actually won three points against Ipswich.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Everything looks like a problem once points are dropped, which is why it is worth revisiting Maguire’s comments after a win to identify the actual problem.
United were in trouble against Ipswich as well, going down early before an Ipswich mistake allowed them back into the game.
They found confidence thereafter and put Ipswich away, but Maguire knew that the start was unacceptable.
He said at the time that the Man Utd squad sometimes get into their own heads too much due to the outside pressure of a crisis talk.
It leads to them playing scared, where they are worried about what might go wrong, instead of ensuring that the things in their control go right.
It’s why United’s game management is extremely poor, because when their backs are against the wall, they tend to crumble.
That’s what happened against Everton as well, as United went into a shell once they took the lead, trying hard to defend it but never looking comfortable.
Everton fully deserved their draw, and it’s not a coincidence that this team looks worse when they have something to hold on to.
Fear takes over in that moment, in contrast to when they have nothing to lose.
It’s why United are better against bigger teams when the pressure to win is off, so they play at their best.
There are tactical issues to iron out in this team, but Carrick’s problem is clear, and that has to do with the mentality of this squad.
Nobody has ever won consistently with the fear of losing in their hearts and minds.
Follow the story
