Everton 2-2 Man United: Maitland-Niles Scores Stunning 96th-Minute Equaliser

Everton rescued a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Saturday after Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a stunning 96th-minute equaliser on his debut. The defender curled a magnificent finish from distance to earn a point that keeps the Toffees above United in the Premier League table.

• Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored his first Everton goal in the 96th minute of his debut.
• Tyrique George had earlier brought Everton level with a powerful first goal for the club.
• Manchester United took the lead twice through Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
• David Moyes celebrated a second straight game with an injury-time equaliser.

Maitland-Niles' 96th-minute stunner rescues Everton

The debut script could not have been more dramatic. Maitland-Niles, who had only been on the pitch for 19 minutes, latched onto a loose ball 25 yards from the Manchester United goal. Without hesitation, he launched a dipping strike that flew into the top corner and sent the home crowd into raptures.

A brilliant goal. Everyone wants to start like that and thankfully I did.

The goal arrived in the sixth minute of stoppage time and secured a second consecutive late equaliser for Everton, following James Tarkowski's strike at Bournemouth the previous week.

Tyrique George and the Everton signings who did arrive

Before Maitland-Niles took centre stage, Tyrique George had already given Everton reason to believe in a comeback. The young winger collected a pass from Hayden Hackney and unleashed a rising drive that beat the goalkeeper to level the score for the first time.

George was not the most expensive winger to arrive on Merseyside this summer; that honour belonged to Bradley Barcola, whose move to Liverpool could top £100 million. Even so, the 18-year-old made the most of his opportunity against United and celebrated his first Everton goal.

Manchester United led twice but could not hold on

Michael Carrick's side controlled long spells of the match but had only one clear opening in the first half, when Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar. United finally turned pressure into goals shortly after the restart, with Bryan Mbeumo driving inside and firing a low shot past Jordan Pickford.

They took the lead for a second time through Benjamin Sesko, who came off the bench to head in a cross from Luke Shaw. It was the striker's fifth goal as a substitute in 2026, but Everton's late response left United with a bitter feeling of lost points.

We are so frustrated to be up twice, so close to the end, and then throw it away. We have taken a point but it feels like we should have got a lot more.

What this result means for Everton and United

Everton remain unbeaten at the start of the season and now sit above Manchester United in the Premier League standings. For a club that faced plenty of criticism during the transfer window, the performances on the pitch are restoring belief among the supporters.

David Moyes praised the squad for buying into a no-excuses mentality. The message has been clear: rather than dwell on what did not happen, the dressing room has turned every setback into an opportunity. So far, it is working.

Maitland-Niles goes from late addition to instant hero

The deal that brought Maitland-Niles to Everton was confirmed just 45 minutes before the transfer deadline. Reports suggested he was as low as sixth on the club's list of right-back targets. However, an injury and a cramp suffered by James Garner opened the door, and the former Arsenal man took his chance in spectacular fashion.

At £4.2 million, the full-back is seen as a low-cost alternative to Seamus Coleman, but his debut suggests he could be far more than just a backup. Moyes, in his second spell at Goodison Park, has shown time and again that he can lift players and teams in difficult moments.

Everton 2-2 Manchester United FAQ