Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday. It wasn’t the most exciting game to watch from either side but three points were what was needed and the Red Devils kept their slight hopes up of a top-four (or potentially top-five) finish and playing in the Champions League next season.
Few created chances created by either team
Erik Ten Hag decided to keep Bruno Fernandes/Scott McTominay’s false 9 tactic that haven’t proven fruitful in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to our rivals Manchester City. The opening stages of the match were a slow burner for United as we conceded a corner within the first 90 seconds though comfortably headed away by Jonny Evans. Everton started more brightly by charging forward as United tried to work how to play through the press.
A cross into the six-yard box by the opposition saw Ben Godfrey get a touch on the ball with it just being meters from the goal. Andre Onana dived in and retrieved the ball to prevent United from conceding another early goal. We then had our first opportunity to break out from Bruno Fernandes as he passed the ball out to Marcus Rashford on the wing, who subsequently dribbled past Godfrey to see his effort saved by Jordan Pickford.
In the 12th minute, Alejandro Garnancho was tripped inside the box by James Tarkowski, who had swung his leg out for a tackle. The referee pointed to the spot and awarded United a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to hand us the lead.
United hadn’t quite taken control of the game as Everton were wasteful in the chances they were creating for themselves. In the 26th minute, Amadou Onana fouled Garnacho just outside the box. The resulting free kick struck by Fernandes saw Jordan Pickford have to make a full-stretch save to deny the Portuguese playmaker a second goal.
33 minutes in, the Reds went the direct approach as Garnacho drove centrally as we countered Everton on the attack. With several passing options available, the Argentine ran into trouble before he could hit an effort towards the goal. He was brought inside the box by Godfrey with the referee pointing again to the penalty. It was Marcus Rashford who stepped up this time and hit the ball into the left corner sending Pickford the wrong way.
The second half saw United appear much sharper and retain control of the ball a lot more than they did in the first 45 minutes. However, there were some moments of concern caused by the Toffees when Dominic Calvert-Lewin came close to reducing the deficit as he was inches away from getting onto Godfrey’s pass. With Andre Onana out of position, it would have been a disappointing goal to concede.
United did have some sporadic attacks but did not capitalise and increase their lead further. There could have been potentially a third penalty awarded when Marcus Rashford brought down in the box. The assistant referee had already raised his flag for offside. We avoided making any costly errors and held out the win.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Andre Onana – 7. After a tough beginning at United, Onana has found his form and put in another good performance. Everton did test him but he was alert to everything.
Diogo Dalot – 7. Looked comfortable all game as ventured up and down the right. Wan-Bissaka will find it hard to get his place back in the side.
Raphael Varane – 7. Calm and wasn’t getting bullied at all by the opposition as he read the game well with Evans in defence.
Jonny Evans – 7. Rio Ferdinand said before the game we shouldn’t have let him go all them years ago and you can see with the performances he has given in the games he’s played.
Victor Lindelof – 6.5. Clearly being targeted by the opposition as not being recognized as a left-back but he handled and rarely found himself in trouble.
Casemiro – 5.5. Did not have his best game as gave possession away several times, especially in the first half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6. Composed in the midfield as always.
Scott McTominay – 5.5. Was a presence in the midfield and the final third.
Bruno Fernandes – 7.5. Much more like it from our captain as he orchestrated his passing range to good effect and got on the scoresheet too.
Alejandro Garnacho 8 & MOTM . Instrumental in driving United forward into the final third of the pitch and subsequently won both penalties for us.
Marcus Rashford – 7. Took his penalty really well but did not have many more chances on the opposition goal. Tracked back well.
Subs:
Antony, Sofyan Amrabat, and Willy Kambwala – N/A
What next for United
United are back in the win column. However, the performance was still not there as we did not have to break much sweat to get the three points over Everton. Next weekend, we have Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals and the Reds will need to upped their levels if they are to reach the semis and another trip to Wembley.
