Marcus Rashford and Andre Gomes

Talking Points: United 3 Everton 3

Saturday 06 February 2021 23:19

Manchester United and Everton split six goals between them at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

On what marked the 63rd anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, the Reds and the Blues produced a high-scoring draw at the Theatre of Dreams.

Edinson Cavani headed United in front midway through the first half before Bruno Fernandes scored a long-range wonder-strike to put United two ahead at the interval. After the break, quick-fire goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez levelled the score.

With 20 minutes to go, Scott McTominay, surrounded by three Everton defenders, rose highest to head home a Luke Shaw free-kick. In injury-time Dominic Calvert-Lewin secured a point for the visitors.

Plenty of talking points, then, for our regular post-match round-up.

Minute's silence for Munich Video

Minute's silence for Munich

See how United and Everton's coaching staff and players marked the Munich anniversary before the match...

REMEMBERING MUNICH

Ahead of kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to remember those who tragically lost their lives in Munich on 6 February 1958. United also marked the occasion by wearing black armbands against Everton. We'll never die.

A RARE OCCASION

This was only the fourth time in 29 Premier League seasons that United have played a game on the exact anniversary of the air disaster. In 1993, Brian McClair and Eric Cantona scored a goal apiece as United beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Six years later, during the incredible Treble season, the Reds produced a brilliant performance as Nottingham Forest were beaten 8-1 at the City Ground. Our manager and former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored four off the bench, a Premier League record.

In 2010, United went rampant as we overpowered Portsmouth 5-0 at the Theatre of Dreams. Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick were on the scoresheet, in addition to two Pompey own goals.

EL MATADOR LOVES A TOFFEE

Edinson Cavani is in immaculate shape but there’s no doubt he enjoys a toffee once in a while - or playing against them at least! For the third consecutive game against Everton, the long-haired frontman was on target. Our no. 7. opened the scoring with a clinical header as he steered in a superb Marcus Rashford cross.

The Uruguayan scored his first United goal as we won 3-1 at Goodison Park back in November and also found the net when we beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Carabao Cup just before Christmas.

10 ASSISTS FOR NO. 10

Rashford showed he is much more than a goalscorer as he set up Cavani for the first goal of the evening. The Wythenshawe man pulled off an impressive curling cross to the back stick for his striking partner to head home. The assist was his 10th in all competitions so far this campaign and his eighth in the Premier League.

THE PORTUGUESE MAGNIFICO

We are running out of adjectives and superlatives to describe Bruno Fernandes. Our Portuguese playmaker produced another moment of magic as he scored a beautiful goal to double United’s lead just before the break. From outside the box, the 26-year-old produced an outrageous finish past Robin Olsen.

SHAW THE SUPPLIER

Against Southampton, Luke Shaw set up two goals as United fired nine past his former club. On Saturday, our left-back continued on the same trail, whipping in a delightful cross from deep which Scott McTominay flicked on for our third goal. The 25-year-old has been in excellent form this season and now he’s got three assists in his last two appearances.

SCOTT THE SCORER

Like Shaw, Scott McTominay also followed up on his attacking contribution against the Saints. The Scot’s 70th-minute header put United 3-2 ahead and ensured this will be the Academy product's best season for scoring goals. He now has six in all competitions, including four in the Premier League after his midweek hit and his double against Leeds United.

Fernandes: We have to learn Video

Fernandes: We have to learn

Goalscorer Bruno says United have to take heed of recent defensive mistakes in the weeks ahead…

AT THE SHARP END

McTominay’s header looked to have won the game but Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled the scores in injury time, making it our first 3-3 draw since Sheffield United away on 24 November 2019. On that occasion, we were also leading 3-2 heading into the final moments, before Oliver McBurnie equalised for the Blades.

NO TIME TO REST

In this hectic campaign, there won’t be much time to prepare for our next battle. On Tuesday, we welcome David Moyes's West Ham United to Old Trafford in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup as we look to bounce back after Saturday's late anti-climax. It remains to be seen whether Paul Pogba will be fit to face the side he scored against in December's 3-1 away win.

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