September 9: €70 Million Star Under Scrutiny as Manchester United Draw 2-2, Cunha and Sesko Spark Debate

The Red Devils' attacking positioning appears misplaced, a big-money signing has struggled to make an impact, and a substitute player turned the game around.

A thrilling Premier League third-round clash took place at Goodison Park, with Manchester United visiting Everton. The match unfolded like a roller coaster, and the two sides eventually shared a 2-2 draw. Behind the result, United's attacking setup issues and the contrast between signings became major talking points after the match.

The turning point came in the second half. In the 69th minute, Manchester United manager Carrick made substitutions, replacing Rashford and Cunha with Sesko and Dorgu. Cunha, who joined for a transfer fee of up to €70 million, played around 70 minutes. During that time, his statistics were disappointing: 42 touches accompanied by 11 possession losses; he recorded two shots, but both missed the target and failed to create a genuine scoring chance. Just 19 minutes after he left the pitch, Slovenian striker Sesko scored a powerful header in the 88th minute to help United regain a 2-1 lead.

Looking back at the entire match, the tight scoreline was more dramatic than the statistics suggested. United broke the deadlock in the 46th minute when Mbeumo cut inside from the wing and scored with a superb long-range effort. Everton responded, and in the 83rd minute former Chelsea player George scored a powerful near-post strike from the right side to make it 1-1. Five minutes later, United retook the lead as Bruno Fernandes played a fine through ball from the left, Luke Shaw crossed after breaking along the byline, and substitute Sesko headed home to make it 2-1. Just when United thought victory was secured, Everton substitute Niles struck a fierce shot from outside the box late in the match to level the score at 2-2.

The most watched and debated player in this match was undoubtedly Cunha, who started as the center forward. Last summer, United triggered the £62.5 million release clause in his Wolves contract and paid around €74.2 million to sign him, a fee close to his current €75 million valuation. He inherited United's famous number 10 shirt and carried high expectations. However, so far this season, Cunha has started all three Premier League matches, playing 230 minutes in total, with zero goals and zero assists. Across those three games, he has taken 19 shots with only two on target, lost possession 28 times, and completed passes at just 79%, producing worrying numbers.

Focusing on his 70-minute display against Everton, the problems became even clearer. Behind his 42 touches were 11 possession losses. Both shots missed the target, he won only three of five duels, lost both aerial challenges, completed no successful dribbles, created no key passes, and recovered possession only once defensively. In the 22nd minute, Rashford cut the ball back in the box, but Cunha's effort at the far post went over. In the 62nd minute, after Rashford's clever backheel pass, Cunha's attempt was blocked by Tarkowski's sliding challenge, and VAR did not award a penalty after review.

This performance was a sharp contrast to his previous season (2025/26). In the last Premier League campaign, Cunha made 34 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists as a relatively reliable attacking contributor. At that time, he played more as a second striker and wide attacker, using forward runs to score and showing strong dribbling ability. However, at Goodison Park, Carrick deployed him as a center forward and false nine, asking him to hold up the ball, compete for headers, and act as a focal point, exposing his limitations as a traditional target striker. British media outlet OneFootball stated that the false nine role does not suit him and that he is better used on the wing or as a second striker.

In contrast to Cunha, Sesko immediately changed the match after coming on as a substitute. In August 2025, United signed the 1.95-meter Slovenian striker from RB Leipzig for a fixed fee of €76.5 million, with add-ons potentially taking the total to €85 million, making him the most expensive center forward in United's history. In this match, Sesko entered in the 69th minute and only 19 minutes later scored his first goal of the season with a well-timed forward header. After the match, Sesko accepted responsibility and said: "We still have room to improve, but we tried to control the game. Losing the lead at the end can happen, and we need to learn from it and aim for better performances."

However, blaming the entire draw on Cunha alone would be incomplete. Manchester United have already conceded six goals in three Premier League matches. They lost 0-2 to promoted Hull City in the opener, defeated promoted Ipswich Town 5-2 in the second round, and were twice pegged back by Everton in this match. They have conceded at least two goals in each of their three games, raising concerns over defensive stability. At the same time, their attack has performed well, scoring seven goals in three matches, matching league leaders Manchester City's tally.

Manager Carrick's substitution decisions also drew discussion. In the 69th minute, he replaced Cunha and Rashford with Sesko and Dorgu, and in the 84th minute he brought on Yoro and Andre Santos for Dalot and Mainoo. The series of changes, especially the latter ones, appeared aimed at strengthening defense. After the match, Carrick explained that Rashford was substituted because of physical discomfort rather than dissatisfaction with his performance.

Carrick said after the match: "We cannot avoid the fact that we should have won today. Part of the reason was ourselves, as we were unable to finish the game, while their two excellent shots brought them back into it."

After the draw, Carrick reached his 20th Premier League match in charge of Manchester United. In his previous 19 league matches as manager, the team recorded 13 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, collecting 42 points, the highest total in the Premier League during that period. The club has also shown confidence in Carrick by extending his contract until 2028.

Cunha's current situation is difficult. With his valuation and large transfer fee under scrutiny, he has failed to score in the first three league matches of the season. His 70-minute display in this game produced an awkward record of zero shots on target, zero key passes, zero successful dribbles, and losing every aerial duel. Sesko, who replaced him, changed the scoreline in just 19 minutes and proved his value with a goal.

Carrick waited until the 69th minute to replace Cunha, and that patience became a major post-match talking point. Sesko's header after Cunha's departure further highlighted the contrasting impact and value of the two players on the same scoreboard.

After three league matches, Manchester United sit 11th in the Premier League table with one win, one draw, one loss, and four points, while Everton are eighth with five points. The Red Devils still face many challenges this season, especially finding the right balance between attacking choices and expectations placed on new signings, a key issue for Carrick to consider carefully.