‘Massive mistake’ – Gary Neville slams Man Utd star after Everton draw
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Manchester United legend Gary Neville (Picture: Sky Sports) Gary Neville cannot see Manchester United’s defensive struggles improving anytime soon after a deflating Premier League draw with Everton. Michael Carrick’s side dropped points for the second time in three games as they were twice pegged back by Everton in a 2-2 draw. After a goalless first half, Bryan Mbeumo gave the Red Devils the lead just after half-time and that goal appeared to be guiding United to a narrow win. But former Chelsea midfielder Tyrique George beat Senne Lammens with a powerful strike on 83 minutes to equalise for the Toffees. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Everton’s joy was short-lived, however, as Benjamin Sesko then headed Manchester United back in front in the 88th minute. That looked to have secured the victory but ex-Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a brilliant equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game to earn Everton a point. Neville is concerned by Manchester United’s defence, which has conceded two goals in all three of their Premier League games so far this season, including two against newly-promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town. Everton scored an injury-time equaliser against Man Utd (Picture: Reuters) The Old Trafford legend was particularly critical of Dorgu, saying he made a ‘massive mistake’ in the build-up to Everton’s last-gasp equaliser. ‘Manchester United are conceding two goals a game, you can’t concede two goals a game,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast. ‘With the questions asked since the transfer window regarding the defence, United needed to win today and they couldn’t concede goals. Lazy analysis will say they conceded two spectacular goals. Everton twice came behind to snatch a point (Picture: Getty) ‘The Maitland-Niles goal is a really bad one. Dorgu for some reason chases out and presses, an isolated press. It gets played past Dorgu – it’s a massive mistake, a lack of communication. ‘United had to change their back four during the match. Yoro coming on at right-back highlights the problem – he plays so narrow. ‘A lot happens before the ball goes in the net. When you’re playing away holding onto a result, you have to push up and don’t do stupid things. Michael Carrick’s side are struggling defensively (Picture: Getty) ‘They could have stopped the goal at source. I was screaming as it happened as they had to be organised, they weren’t organised in the final few minutes. ‘Teams think they have a chance against them. I played in a Man Utd team where teams, in the period between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin Van Der Sar, did feel they had a chance against us at Old Trafford and we weren’t quite good enough defensively. ‘Teams have the feeling that they can score. That’s a horrible place to be at.’ "We should have seen the game out" 😕A disappointed Michael Carrick reacts to Man Utd's draw with Everton. pic.twitter.com/KtrBajBU2Y— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 6, 2026 Manchester United will likely face an even bigger test next weekend when they welcome local rivals Manchester City to the Theatre of Dreams. ‘It puts a bit of pressure on Manchester United as they have Man City next week and a European game in midweek,’ Neville added. ‘Michael Carrick is trying to build a trust with his team and with the fans that he can repeat what he did last season. ‘That game should have been won today. Everton weren’t at it in the first half. They let Everton back into the game. ‘They have a liability of conceding goals and it’s not going away. That is my fear. Conceding goals will hunt them and chase them down the road. ‘I’m not sure how Carrick will deal with it as he’s already got his best back four on the pitch. Why did Shaw and Dalot go off with five minutes to go? Ruben Amorin and Erik ten Hag changed their back four too. ‘You can’t be changing your back four. There’s not much behind the first choice. So you can
