Man United 2-0 Everton
by James Nalton
at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED managed to come away with a win following Everton’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The home side were second best in the run of play, occasionally offering a threat on the counter-attack but generally sloppy on the ball.
Everton played well in the first half and were the better team, but United took the initiative via two first-half penalty kicks awarded for fouls on Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho’s running and drawing of fouls made up for United’s otherwise loose build-up play.
In some ways, the game plan worked, as United looked to get Garnacho and Marcus Rashford to trouble the Everton defence from out wide.
Both of the clear fouls that led to the penalties were needless from Everton’s point of view.
James Tarkowski stuck out a foot for the first, while a clumsy challenge from Ben Godfrey led to the second.
For each of their penalties, United opted to use two different takers.
Captain Bruno Fernandes took the first, slotting into the bottom corner even as Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford guessed right. Marcus Rashford took the second, sending his England teammate the wrong way.
United manager Erik ten Hag suggested after the game that it’s up to the players who take the penalties.
It seems likely Fernandes would pull rank as captain, allowing Rashford to take the second.
“Two different penalty takers is also more difficult for the goalkeeper to read,” ten Hag pointed out.
In terms of creating chances, Everton manager Sean Dyche said it was one of the best displays he has seen from one of his teams at Old Trafford during his time as a manager.
Possession was around even, but Everton did drop off somewhat in the second half, perhaps dispirited at having played so well in the first and still gone in 2-0 down at half time.
“I don’t remember many teams coming here and having that many chances and creating that many opportunities,” Dyche said.
“We had 45 quality entries into their box and they had 15 into ours and we lose 2-0.
“But the scoreline is the stat that’s important and that’s the bit we’re getting on the wrong side of, and we’ve got to continually work to change it.”
