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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC marked his return from suspension by netting an injury-time penalty to earn Manchester United a dramatic point at Old Trafford.

Phil Jagielka's 22nd minute goal looked like winning it for the visitors, before Ashley Williams handled substitute Luke Shaw's goalbound effort in the box in the 92nd minute.

Phil Jagilekla somehow managed to get his boot to this ball in to put Everton ahead at Old Trafford
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Phil Jagielka somehow managed to get his boot to this ball in to put Everton ahead at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images
Phil Jagielka wheels away after showing striking instincts to put his side 1-0 up
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Phil Jagielka wheels away after showing striking instincts to put his side 1-0 upCredit: PA:Press Association
The Everton players surround centre-half Phil Jagileka after his strike silenced the home fans
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The Everton players surround centre-half Phil Jagielka after his strike silenced the home fansCredit: Getty Images

Williams was given a straight red, and up stepped the super Swede, who described himself as a "lion" before the game, to send Joel Robles the wrong way and bag his 16th Premier League goal of the season.


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Despite Ibrahimovic returning to lead the line for United, it was a frustrating performance from Jose Mourinho's disjointed side.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his return to the forward line for Manchester United, but was largely frustrated in the first half
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his return to the forward line for Manchester United, but was largely frustrated in the first halfCredit: PA:Press Association
Tempers flared in the second half, as Everton scrapped for every ball in a bid to hold on to their slender lead
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Tempers flared in the second half, as Everton scrapped for every ball in a bid to hold on to their slender leadCredit: Getty Images

Jagielka put the visitors Everton ahead in the 22nd minute, and in fine style too.

After making his way into the box from a corner, he watched defensive team-mate Ashley Williams' header loop towards the back post, and on the swivel, he volleyed the ball home with a strike Romelu Lukaku would have been proud of.

It was Jagielka first goal for 703 games, nearly two years. But Marcus Rojo's hesitant defending won't have left his manager Mourinho very happy.

Manchester United introduced Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half to increase the pressure on Everton.

But home fans were forced to curb celebrations when Ibrahimovic's headed goal was ruled out for offside on 70 minutes.

But the maverick forward was to have the final say on proceedings, when he sent Robles the wrong way from the penalty spot to secure a share of the spoils - but United fans still booed off their side at the end.

Facts, Stats, Goals and Lols

  • There was a strange start to the night as Zlatan Ibrahimovic used United's in house television channel to question whether the club is ambtious enough for him
  • Everton's record here made grim reading for fans making the trip along the M62 - just one win in their last 23 visits.
  • But Ronald Koeman was looking to become the first manager in Premier League history to win three consecutive games at Old Trafford - having done it twice here with Southampton.
  • Phil Jagielka's goal was his first in almost two years - his last one coming way back in May 2015.
  • It was not David de Gea's night during the first half. He let Jagielka's shot through his legs then got a rollicking off his team-mates for failing to clear his lines.
  • United have won only won one of 10 Premier League home games when they've been losing at half time since Alex Ferguson retired.
Ashley Williams was shown a straight red for deliberate handball to Luke Shaw's goalbound effort
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Ashley Williams was shown a straight red for deliberate handball to Luke Shaw's goalbound effortCredit: Rex Features
That man Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and netted a late, late equaliser for Manchester United
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That man Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and netted a late, late equaliser for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images
  • And their proud 19 match unbeaten league run dating back to October - which gave Mourinho some comfort on Saturday - was in serious danger.
  • Luke Shaw made it to the bench despite Jose Mourinho's words on Saturday. However he was over-looked when the manager had a reshuffle at half-time - with Ander Herrera heading to left-back.
  • The England full-back got called over by the manager just after the hour and he got his run-out - just three days after Mourinho questioned his commitment.
  • Even so he was called over, told to sit down, watched Anthony Martial get stripped off before finally getting the nod again.
  • Paul Pogba hit the bar early in the second half - meaning United are now ahead of rivals Manchester City for hitting the woodwork.
  • The French ace was back after injuring his hamstring three weeks ago - but ended up playing so deep. What is his best position?
  • Mourinho said on Saturday he will give it a couple more games and then start resting his key players to keep them fit for the Europa League. Will fans notice a difference on the evidence of the last four days.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the summer window with SunSport’s daily LIVE blog


Jose Mourinho cut a disconsolate figure at full-time as Manchester United missed a great chance to break the top four
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Jose Mourinho cut a disconsolate figure at full-time as Manchester United missed a great chance to break the top fourCredit: PA:Press Association

Big Picture

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Next five fixtures

Manchester United

Premier League - Sunderland (A), Sun 9 Apr
Europa League Quarter-Final - RSC Anderlecht (A), Thu 13 Apr
Premier League - Chelsea (H), Sun 16 Apr
Europa League Quarter-Final - RSC Anderlecht (H), Thu 20 Apr
Premier League - Burnley (A), Sun 23 Apr

Everton

Premier League - Leicester City (H), Sun 9 Apr
Premier League - Burnley (H), Sat 15 Apr
Premier League - West Ham United (A), Sat 22 Apr
Premier League - Chelsea (H), Sun 30 Apr
Premier League - Swansea City (A), Sat 6 May

Social Says

Dream Team Ratings

Manchester United: de Gea 6, Young 6 (Shaw, 64 6), Bailly 7, Rojo 6, Blind 6 (Pogba, 45 7), Herrera 6 7, Carrick 7 (Mkhitaryan, 64 6), Fellaini 6, Lingard 7, Ibrahimovic 6, Rashford 6.

Subs: Martial, Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Darmian.

Goals: Ibrahimovic (92)

Booked: Young

 

Everton: Joel 7, Baines 6, Jagielka (c) 8, A.Williams, Holgate 6, Barry 7, Davies 5, Gana 6, Barkley 6 (Calvert-Lewin, 80 5), Mirallas 7 (Pennington, 67), Lukaku 6.

Subs: Stekelenburg, Valencia, Lookman, Kenny, J.Williams.

Goals: Jagielka (22)

Booked: Gana, Barry, Robles, Davies

Sent off: Williams

Star Man

Phil Jagielka

Ashley Williams was in inspired form for most of the game - until he blotted his copybook late on
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Ashley Williams was in inspired form for most of the game - until he blotted his copybook late onCredit: Getty Images

What They Said

Goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "We deserved more. Their goal came from nothing. We cannot afford these mistakes. Still we don't get the points we need.

"We were attacking for most of the game, we had good chances, but we have to do more.

"We made changes and the second half was better, it was a different half to the first half, because we were attacking more."

On his disallowed goal: "I thought it was a goal, but I cannot say, the TV has to judge.

On the Everton goal: "We do a mistake in the corner, missing Williams, he (Jagielka) gets a touch on the ball, it's a mistake and we can't do that."

The referee had little choice but to dismiss centre-half Ashley Williams for deliberate handball
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The referee had little choice but to dismiss centre-half Ashley Williams for deliberate handballCredit: Getty Images

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: "The performance was not very good, but the spirit in the second half was phenomenal.

"But some players were in trouble, some physically, some with confidence levels, low and difficult to perform. But they fought until the very end.

"But with video we win this game 2-1, it wasn't offside. But it was difficult for the linesman, but I'm not critical. With video it will help everybody.

"If there is any doubt, it's advantage to the team that attacks. For me it is not an offside. I am not at all critical of the linesman. Video will be welcome by everyone, especially for them.

"I admit we played better football in other matches, did we have chances, yes, did we hit the post yes, the opposing goalkeeper played brilliant, yes.

"We had some players in trouble, especially with confidence. Some guys are suffering a bit. But Manchester United's way of fight was there, especially in the second half, that followed a first half that wasn't good at all."

Ronald Koeman was disappointed with the result, but not with the performance of his battling players
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Ronald Koeman was disappointed with the result, but not with the performance of his battling playersCredit: EPA

Everton boss Ronald Koeman: "I think we played well, controlled the game, and at 1-0 up last 20, 25 minutes, we had a lot of space in our counter attacks, we had to kill the game.

"Our defending was terrific today, it was really painful how we didn't win the game, but yes it was a penalty.

"They (Manchester United) took all the risks, a lot of tall people at the front, but we defended well. I was really confident in our defending and organisation, but we should have been a little more clever in our final pass.

"I am proud of the team, we had seven players under the age of 22 in the 18-man squad."

 

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