0/9 ground duels, 0/2 dribbles, 18x possession lost, 0 tackles: improving United star went backwards again in hard-fought draw vs. Everton

Manchester United came from behind to snatch a valuable point against high-flyers Everton at Goodison Park.

Everton were the better of the two sides and deservedly took the lead in the 19th minute after failing to clear their lines from the corner kick, allowing Beto the opportunity to drill an effort into the ground and over the reach of Andre Onana.

Moments later, the Toffees doubled their advantage as they managed to carve United’s defence wide open, leaving Harry Maguire against three attackers.

Onana could only parry Jack Harrison’s effort up into the air and Abdoulaye Doucoure rose the highest to head it in from close range.

It seemed like the visitors were down and out but Bruno Fernandes’ second-half free-kick brought them back into the match.

The strike gave the Red Devils some much-needed confidence and they went on to restore parity courtesy of Manuel Ugarte, who fired in a stunning volley from the edge of the box.

Many United players failed to turn up, including Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman was once again deployed in one of the number 10 positions behind the striker and he failed to come up with the goods.

During the time he was on the pitch, Zirkzee touched the ball 45 times and managed to find his teammates with 20 of the 30 passes he attempted. He fired one shot, which was off-target and didn’t at all challenge Jordan Pickford.

Zirkzee embarked on two dribbles, failing to complete any of them. He also missed one big chance.

The former Bologna man lost all nine ground duels he delved into and only came out on top in one of the three aerial challenges he contested.

The forward lost possession 18 times and committed one foul. He was dribbled past on two occasions and failed to make even one tackle, clearance or interception.

(Stats obtained from Sofascore)

It was a shambolic performance from the 23-year-old, whose inconsistencies in a United shirt continue.

United are back in action on Wednesday when they host Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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