Rio Ferdinand shocked by what he saw in Everton draw v Manchester United
Everton and Manchester United played out yet another memorable encounter from which the final memories at Goodison Park will live on.
The Toffees were unstoppable in the first half and led 2-0 through Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure before Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte clawed United back level at 2-2.
While it ended with a point apiece as David Moyes faced his former side, a controversial penalty denial for Everton, after Andy Madley had awarded a spot-kick, incensed the home crowd inside injury time.
Ferdinand stunned by Manchester United at Everton
By hook or by crook, Manchester United did enough to gain a point on Merseyside, denying Everton a fifth win in their last six.
The draw does keep the Toffees above Saturday’s opponents in the Premier League table, but former United ace Rio Ferdinand was left shellshocked by how poor Ruben Amorim’s side performed during the first half.
After Doucoure doubled the lead for the hosts in L4, Ferdinand – who was watching on for TNT Sports – posted on his X account to relay his frustrations.
He simply posted: “What have I just witnessed…” towards the end of the first half, with the Toffees at the time fully in control of the contest.
Luckily for the former Old Trafford star, his team salvaged at least some credibility from the clash, but the penalty incident at the death will spark debate for days.
What have I just witnessed…
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 22, 2025
VAR calls define Goodison clash
Everton supporters will be heading home from Goodison Park wondering how on earth their team were unable to see out the three points.
Man United were never particularly superb in the second half but took their chances, while the levels of Moyes’ men dropped off after an unstoppable first half, mauling Amorim’s sorry visitors.
The VAR call for Beto’s goal took over three minutes, while two separate offside incidents were thoroughly checked, the striker ultimately surviving the check to grab his fifth goal in his last four.
The initial penalty decision in second-half stoppage time, as former United man Ashley Young looked to be felled inside the area, caused pandemonium around Goodison but for Madley to overturn his own decision, giving the Red Devils and Amorim that final piece of respite.
Everton still have to welcome Arsenal and Manchester City in among their final five matches before the Goodison doors are locked.