WHY SAY ANYTHING?

The game against Everton was the chance to put some pressure on Manchester City before their game with Chelsea. It was also a chance to show the Old Trafford faithful that they hadn’t completely forgotten how to win a game of football.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to add a goal threat up front and Ander Herrera returned to add a threat to the opposing midfieders.

In the first half the problems, unfortunately, also returned with United creating two or three opportunities but, as usual, failing to take any of them. Ibrahimovic missed a good chance with only the goalkeeper to beat, then Rashford put one wide followed by Lingard doing similar.

Surely, in training, the importance of accuracy is stressed. The goalkeeper can make a mistake and, if the shot is on target, there is a chance it will go in. If the shot is not on target then the chances are that a goal will never materialise.

Mourinho is right in saying that it doesn’t matter how good the opposition goalkeeper is, or how unlucky his team appear to be, it is just rank bad finishing which is costing the points at present.

The way things have been, if Ibrahimovic doesn’t score, then United are unlikely to score and this is a situation which should be the first one addressed in the next transfer window.

Marcus Rashford would probably benefit from a season on loan in either the Championship or lower down the Premier League.

Jesse Lingard would benefit from being sold. Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini need to be shown towards which goal United are kicking.

The defence and midfield need leaders or, preferably, one player who can do both.

This team, at present, is leaderless. Nobody shouts, nobody bullies and, because of that, it appears that nobody cares.

United cannot be accused of not trying their best. The problem is that their best is not good enough.

Anyway, back to the match, and the second half followed the same pattern as the first. United attacked in waves but couldn’t finish any of the moves with the exception of one cross which was headed in by Ibrahimovic then wrongly disallowed for offside.

During this period Bein Sports were showing us the goals as they went in from the other games and what was particularly galling was watching Watford put two past West Brom. Was this the same team United couldn’t score against?

Pogba had a header which came off the bar, then more reasonable chances were wasted. It wasn’t until the 93rd minute that United go their equaliser to make sure they managed YET ANOTHER DRAW. This time it was a penalty given when Ashley Williams handled a shot from Luke Shaw and was sent off for his troubles. Zlatan got his goal and United got a point which some will feel they deserved and others will feel they didn’t.

A very short while ago United were in the relatively strong position of having three games in hand on Liverpool and two of those games in hand were at home. They were only six points behind ghem at the time.

Now, having played two of those games in hand, they are still four points behind and their final extra game is against Manchester City.

It’s no wonder José Mourinho is going to prioritise the Europa League for the remainder of the season.