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Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick have both spoken positively about a Manchester United duo after a transfer decision emerged which appears to have benefited Marcus Rashford.

United followed their win over Ipswich with a draw against Everton. The Red Devils were 2-1 ahead against the Toffees with only two minutes of normal time left and looked set to take all three points, but an Ainsley Maitland-Niles stunner from outside the box brought Everton level and the match finished 2-2.

“It feels like a defeat,” said United manager Carrick after the way the contest ended.

Even so, there were encouraging signs to take from the game – another two goals and a growing understanding between Luke Shaw and Rashford on the left flank. The two have played 216 matches together in their careers for both United and England, but before the start of this season they had done so only three times since the 2023-24 campaign.

BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has suggested that United chose not to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri after making a late enquiry in the summer because they “did not want to sign a left-back permanently to put pressure” on Shaw.

There have also been suggestions that the Red Devils decided against bringing in Ait-Nouri because they still considered other left-backs to be stronger long-term options for the future.

However, the choice not to replace Shaw paid off when he provided an assist for Benjamin Sesko late on against Everton, and it also seems to have helped Rashford settle back in at Old Trafford after a year and a half away.

United great Rooney said of the partnership: “[Shaw] was really good. Defensively he was leading and he was good going forward as well. He looked more of a threat today in his connection with Marcus.”

Manager Carrick added: “Marcus and Luke were particularly dangerous down that side.

“They’ve played together for quite some time now and have an understanding. We’re trying to build partnerships and combinations throughout the team.”

Former United left-sided player Ashley Young is also enjoying Shaw’s revival on the left wing.

He said: “It was great to see that left side and the connection they have had for years, it was like Luke Shaw when he first came to the club.

“He goes so quick, overlaps and gets balls into the box, gets the defence on the back foot.”