Fernandes set-piece magic helps rescue sloppy United from further embarrassment at Everton
LIFELINE: Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Ruben Amorim admitted before his first, and last, trip to Goodison that he is currently being out-managed by David Moyes although his late efforts in snatching a point for Manchester United suggested otherwise.
The United manager enjoyed a huge slice of luck as Everton had a 93rd-minute penalty first awarded, and then taken away after VAR intervened and referee Andy Madley viewed his monitor.
Andre Onana parried a shot from Idrissa Gueye and, as Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt closed in on Ashley Young, the Everton substitute appeared to have his jersey pulled - with Madley first awarding the spot kick before changing his mind.
As had been the case in last week’s derby with Liverpool, the final whistle saw stormy scenes on the Goodison pitch with James Tarkowski arguing with ppoonents, and surrounded by them, as players exchanged angry words.
A dismal first 72 minutes saw United trailing by two goals and on the way to a morale-sapping 13th league defeat of a miserable campaign.
But, with their first shot on target of the match, Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back with a superbly-struck 20-yard free-kick that took advantage of Jordan Pickford moving slightly the wrong way.
And with 10 minutes to go, a Fernandes set-piece again proved Everton’s undoing as his cross was headed out by Beto to the edge of the area where Manuel Ugarte made clean, crisp contact with a shot into the top corner.
It was a stunning comeback from the Reds who had trailed to first-half goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure until Amorim’s late changes, notably the introduction of winger Alejandro Garnacho.
But both first-half goals were a testimony to United’s low confidence, and even lower quality of defending, and there could have been more.
The first came on 19 minutes after Maguire conceded a corner in cutting out a dangerous cross from Jesper Lindstrom.
United had at least four good chances to clear the resulting cross but a game of head tennis with Doucoure heading back into the danger zone and Lindstrom almost connecting.
The ball was still allowed to reach Beto who finished clinically from the edge of the six-yard box for his fifth goal in the last four games of Everton’s resurgent season.
United’s self-belief had already looked low and now sank through the floor, leading to the manner of Everton’s second on 33 minutes.
Lindstrom’s simple long ball somehow left Maguire isolated against three Everton attackers, one of whom - Beto - sent a dangerous cross into the area where Jack Harrison’s shot was well saved by Onana’s block.
Maguire was slow to react to the rebound, however, and Doucoure easily out jumped him to head past the stranded United keeper.
Goodison, already in the mood to enjoy a rare sight of sunshine and the last ever visit of United to the stadium, erupted.
Ugarte, at least, produced United’s first shot on goal, minutes before the break, although it flew well wide and, instead, United’s shaky defence continued to struggle with Everton’s pressing and continued to concede chances.
Another came early in the second half, although Jarrad Branthwaite could only steer a header straight at Onana from another set-piece badly defended by Amorim’s team.
As United looked for their first shot on target, Onana saved well again, instinctively after Doucoure connected with a Jake O’Brien cross but the visitors were enjoying more of the ball in the second half.
And, after levelling the scores, United even had a strong penalty appeal turned down on 83 minutes, after Joshua Zirkzee’s header appeared to strike an arm.
The game opened up entertainingly in the closing minutes with chances at both ends; the best seeing Beto head at the keeper and Pickford saving well from Fernandes’s long shot before the penalty drama gave Amorim one last scare.
Pickford 5; O'Brien 5, Tarkowski 6, Branthwaite 7, Mykolenko 6; Garner 7 (Iroegbunam 81), Gueye 6; Lindstrom 7 (Young 53, 5), Doucoure 8 (Alcaraz 81), J Harrison 6; Beto 7. Substitutes (not used) Begovic, Dixon, Heath, Keane, Virginia, Sherif.
Onana 6; Mazraoui 6 (Yoro 70, 5), Maguire 5, De Ligt 5; Dalot 5, Ugarte 6, Casemiro 4 (Garnacho 62, 7), Drogu 7; Zirkzee 5, Fernandes 8; Hojlund 5 (Obi 70, 5). Substitutes (not used) Eriksen, Graczyk, A Harrison, Heaven, Kone, Lindelof.
A Madley 5
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