PLAYER RATINGS: Alejandro Garnacho was too much for Everton as he won both penalties for Man United in 2-0 victory… but Casemiro has become increasingly erratic for the Red Devils
Manchester United bounced back from defeat in last week’s derby with two penalties to down Everton.
The relegation-threatened Toffees actually looked much the better team in the early exchanges, only for two pieces of puzzling defending to gift United victory.
Not that Erik ten Hag will care too much, with United holding up their end of the bargain to put pressure on Aston Villa and Tottenham in the the top four race. Those sides meet at Villa Park on Sunday.
This was a game lit up by Alejandro Garnacho, who got assists for both spot-kicks, and Ten Hag will hope the Argentine finishes this season with a flourish after a recent lull.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was on hand at Old Trafford to give the verdict on Ten Hag’s side…
Manchester United beat Everton after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford
(4-2-3-1)
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Made some key stops with the midfield and defence at sea. Joint-second in the Premier League for clean sheets now, too. Quite the turnaround this season for the shot-stopper.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
He is never going to look totally comfortable at left back and there were enough early signs of concern to back that up. Everton’s lack of quality delivery made his life easier after the gift of two penalties.
JONNY EVANS – 6
Provided Erik ten Hag with a timely return after being forced off with an issue against Man City last week. An erroneous back pass in the final 10 minutes almost embarrassed Onana.
Andre Onana made some key stops at times when those in front of him were out at sea
RAPHAEL VARANE – 7
The best of the back-line – as he is more often than not. Even when United looked ragged in the early exchanges, he reads the game so well that he turns good chances into half chances for opponents.
DIOGO DALOT – 6.5
Little to report from the Portuguese. With Garnacho in such fine form ahead of him, his focus was more on defending here than attacking.
CASEMIRO – 5
Most of the groans on Saturday lunchtime were reserved for the Brazilian. You can have a degree of sympathy for him with, more often than not, such limited options available to him when he’s in possession but he’s become increasingly erratic when he does get it. Puzzling what to do with him when it gets to the summer.
Casemiro has become increasingly erratic and gave the ball away numerous times on Saturday
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
It just doesn’t feel like he’s being properly utilised in a role that is more similar to that of a No 8 than a No 6. There were large spells here where the game was passing him by. He’s got the quality to sit in front of the back four and dictate but needs the opportunity to show it.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 6
A beneficiary of the system change as he got to start. But McTominay was industrious rather than influential. Booked.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7.5
Opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal since November and then deferred to Marcus Rashford for the second spot-kick. Was involved constantly in his false nine role and never cheats fans for effort.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8
Brilliant. Won both penalties – the second with a thrilling mazy run – and much like Fulham a few weeks ago, Everton couldn’t handle him. Should have scored at least one of his own, though.
Fernandes netted his first league goal since November and deferred to Rashford for the second spot kick
Alejandro Garnacho won both penalties as Everton could not handle the young winger
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Played in Garnacho to win the first penalty and then converted the penalty with aplomb by sending England team-mate Jordan Pickford the wrong way. With England assistant Steve Holland in the director’s box for this one, Rashford did his international selection hopes no harm at all.
Manager: ERIK TEN HAG – 7
He was largely happy with the game-plan in the defeat to Man City and he stuck to his guns with the same XI here. Wasn’t the prettiest of displays but a win is a win and that is all that counts for the Dutchman in this race for the top four.
SUBS:
Sofyan Amrabat (for Kobbie Mainoo, 78) – 6
Antony (for Alejandro Garnacho, 83) – 6
Willy Kambwala (for Jonny Evans, 89) – N/A
Man United XI (4-2-3-1): Onana 7, Dalot 6.5, Varane 7, Evans 6 (Kambwala 89), Lindelof 6, Mainoo 6 (Amrabat 78, 6, Casemiro 5, McTominay 6, Garnacho 8 (Antony 83, 6), Fernandes 7.5, Rashford 7
Subs not used: Bayindir, Mee, Ogunneye, Collyer, Eriksen, Amad.
Booked: McTominay
Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford 7.5, Godfrey 5, Tarkowski 5, Branthwaite 6.5, Mykolenko 6 (Chermiti 88), Harrison 6 (Dobbin 61), Onana 6, Garner 5.5 (Young 75), McNeil 7, Doucoure 6 (Gomes 61, 5), Beto 5 (Calvert-Lewin 61, 6)
Subs not used: Virginia, Coleman, Keane, Patterson.
Booked: Onana, Doucoure
Referee: Simon Hooper 7
