Everton: Joel Robles: 7, Mason Holgate: 7, Ashley Williams: 6, Phil Jagielka: 8, Leighton Baines: 7, Idrissa Gueye: 7, Gareth Barry: 7, Tom Davies: 7, Ross Barkley: 7, Kevin Mirallas: 7, Romelu Lukaku: 7. For the ninth time this season and the second in four days, United shared the points with Everton at Old Trafford.
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Jagielka’s first goal this term prompted an urgent response from United, with Ander Herrera’s effort striking the bar, but even with Ibrahimovic back in the team, United were blunt, with Paul Pogba also heading against the bar after the break.
Ibrahimovic stepped forward for the penalty kick and did justice to it, thus stretching Man United’s unbeaten league run to 20 matches.
“We build well but we don’t score enough goals, we don’t kill off enough opponents and at the end of this season I think we will be punished by that”, he added, striking a pessimistic note.
David Moyes endured more misery at Sunderland slid closer to relegation from the Premier League after a 2-0 defeat at resurgent Leicester.
Shaw, 21, returned to action in the 1-1 draw at home to Everton and played a key role in United’s late equaliser, with his late shot leading to a penalty after Ashley Williams blocked it with his arm on its way to goal.
And considering there are only a few games remaining this season in the Premier League, Manchester United’s best chance of making it to the Champions League next season does look like winning the Europa League.
Pogba was introduced at the start of the second half and almost drew United level in the 55th minute, but his header crashed against the crossbar.
“It was really disappointing not to get the win”, Everton manager Ronald Koeman told BBC Sport.
The result leaves Jose Mourinho’s side in fifth, four points adrift of the neighbours and three ahead of Arsenal, who will climb above them on goal difference if they beat West Ham this evening.
Islam Slimani and Jamie Vardy scored second half goals to power the Foxes into the top 10 and give boss Craig Shakespeare his sixth straight win.
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United will be pleased with the comeback, but will be disappointed to have dropped points at home for the second time in a week. “As far as I’m concerned the matter’s finished”.
