Three points from Man Utd’s draw at Everton with Michael Carrick putting himself in the firing line again

MANCHESTER UNITED have given their fans more food for thought with an eventful 2-2 draw at Everton. The lead they took via Benjamin Sesko‘s 88th-minute header was wiped out deep into stoppage time by Ainsley Maitland-Niles‘ long-range stunner. Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck a sensational equaliser for Everton Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Man Utd have taken just four points from their first three games Credit: Shutterstock Editorial And that has left the Red Devils with just four points from their first three Premier League matches this term – all of which they went into as overwhelming favourites. SunSport’s Samuel Luckhurst offers up his three talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium… Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! TELL IT LIKE IT IS Michael Carrick says United have not had a bad start, but he’s wrong. When a United manager comes out with stuff like that, it is just going to wind up supporters. Going forward, he needs to look after himself a little bit more and be a bit more critical of the team. It’s just not going to chime with fans. He sounds a bit too compliant, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did during his tenure, and that didn’t really get him anywhere. Michael Carrick insists United have not made a bad start to the season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Carrick was made United’s permanent manager in May Credit: PA WATCH YOUR BACK Defensively, United are in a state of disarray after conceding six goals in their first three games. There is no defensive midfielder in that team at the moment because it took so long to sign Carlos Baleba, so there is no shield for the back-four. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK But you look at the full-backs – Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot first started together eight years ago – so there is possibly some backwards thinking there. Harry Maguire looked a little bit leggy. He has never been the quickest, but at 33 he is only going to get slower. Lisandro Martinez is not particularly quick either. United look so open and gettable. Everton had twice as many attempts on target, so if they were a bit more clinical, maybe they’d have had an even better day. Harry Maguire put in a leggy display against Everton Credit: Shutterstock Editorial LAM TO THE SLAUGHTER Senne Lammens probably had his worst game for United. He dropped a pretty straightforward cross in the first half, punched away a catchable effort, and was culpable for Tyrique George‘s goal. His handling was far too feeble at his near post. For his sake, he has to hope that is just an aberration. But going forward, Lammens, the state of the United defence, it is lacking. Yes, they are probably going to address it next year. But even when Carrick was asked about that, he said it was not guaranteed, which is also just going to wind up supporters. Senne Lammens should have done better with Tyrique George’s goal Credit: PA Man Utd ratings vs Everton: Mainoo and Rashford work in perfect harmony but Cunha cuts solitary figure MANCHESTER UNITED were stunned by Everton on the road thanks to a stunner of a strike from Ainsley Maitland-Niles Super sub Benjamin Sesko thought he had given his side all three points before the ex-Arsenal star’s 25-yard stunner. The Red Devils defence had survived a pummelling for most of the match, but Senne Lammens’ shaky performance finally cost the side as the ex-Chelsea star fired home to trigger a chaotic last ten minutes. Kobbie Mainoo was the silver lining for Michael Carrick, producing an all-round performance to remember, signalling a light at the end of the tunnel for United’s midfield woes of late. SunSport’s Mitchell Hall gives his verdict on how United’s stars got on in Merseyside… Comment now