Four things we learned as Man United forced to settle for a point against stubborn Everton

Man United hit the road once more, this time heading across to Merseyside to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After bouncing back from a poor league start with a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, the Red Devils arrived in Merseyside after a sparkling 5-2 win over Ipswich, hoping to keep the momentum rolling with another important win against the Toffees.

But that was not the case. Man United left Merseyside with only a point after Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko saw their goals cancelled out by strikes from Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

There was plenty to take from this match. Here's what stood out:

The false nine continues to hold Man United back

The absence of a clear number nine once again held United back.

Sesko understandably has not started yet after returning from a season-ending injury and missing a proper pre-season.

Yet after two cameo appearances against Hull and Ipswich, plus regular training, the Slovenian striker looks ready. He should have started against Everton and he showed that scoring from the bench.

His presence up top would have unsettled the home defence and turned those pinpoint Rashford crosses into genuine chances rather than wasted balls.

Matheus Cunha, as brilliant as he is, still isn't sparking the attack the way he can. Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford both suffer without a focal point to occupy defenders and open space.

United can only become truly threatening when someone occupies that number-nine role, pins the back line and creates openings for the runners around him.

The left wing looks genuinely threatening

In recent weeks, the left side had been a clear concern, with Luke Shaw often singled out as a weak link.

Against Everton, however, he delivered a solid defensive display and looked dangerous whenever he pushed forward.

He and Rashford are forging a real partnership down that flank. Shaw's overlapping runs and their constant link-up in the final third repeatedly caused Everton problems.

Rashford himself was a constant menace. The United forward kept taking on his markers, driving past them and creating clear chances. He proved a nightmare for the Everton defence, and Carrick's decision to place real trust in him is already paying dividends.

Man United appear to have lost one of their biggest weapons from last season. Casemiro's goals from corners are sorely missed, yet no one has properly stepped up to replace that aerial threat.

The Red Devils must rediscover their set-piece potency. It was their secret weapon last term, and it can still prove decisive this season.

Lammens once again failed to keep a clean sheet. He now has just three cleansheets in 14 games, a disappointing return given the high-quality performances he produces week after week. If United are serious about challenging for glory, they simply must start keeping clean sheets more regularly.

Drawing with Everton leaves United in a tricky position. They must respond, and they must do so quickly.

Next up comes their first taste of the Champions League league phase as they host Azerbaijani side Sabah Baku.

Just three days later the Manchester derby looms large, with Manchester City heading to Old Trafford for a Premier League matchday-four showdown.

Only by securing wins in these fixtures can Michael Carrick begin to silence the growing doubts over whether he is the man to take United back to the top.