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Manchester United welcomed Everton to Old Trafford on the back of a disappointing loss at the hands of Juventus in midweek, in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United had a good record against Everton, winning 87 of the 197 games played between the two sides. However, this season, things were a bit different. Everton were riding high after picking up 3 wins in the last 3 games and as such, did not arrive at Old Trafford just to make up the numbers.
Mourinho made just one change to the team that secured a draw at Chelsea last weekend and lost to Juventus in midweek – he brought in Fred for Lukaku, who was relegated to the bench against his former side. This meant that Rashford started as the focal point in attack, with Mata and Martial either side of him, while Fred slotted in alongside Matic and Pogba in the midfield.
The game started well and was an intriguing affair in the first half. Manchester United eventually took the lead in the 27th minute, thanks to a Paul Pogba penalty. The first half ended 1-0.
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United resumed normal service in the second half and Martial doubled their lead in the 49th minute. However, Everton got one back through Sigurdsson, but United held on for 3 precious points at home. On a night when United desperately needed a win, 5 players stood up and delivered and we look at them here.
#5 Ashley Young
The Englishman captained United for the third game running and did just enough in the game to ensure that neither Bernard nor Richalison could find any joy from that side. His covering was excellent as usual and Young looked every bit like the skipper on the field. He was aggressive, he was vocal and he was tireless. But it was when he ventured forward that Young showed his best side.
He was excellent as usual down the right, in fact he was so good that Mata regularly drifted inside. The Englishman was always available on the ball and held on to the touchline very well. Young tirelessly overlapped and regularly put in crosses. Whenever United had the ball, he bombarded forward, built up the numbers and put himself up as an option.
Even though United could not hold on to the clean sheet, Ashley Young impressed on the night and ensured that United were back on track in the Premier League.
#4 Fred
The Brazilian was brought in during the summer to strengthen United’s midfield, however, Fred has found opportunities hard to come by so far. So when Mourinho opted to start him in the midfield against Everton, Fred knew he had to play his socks off and that was exactly what the Brazilian did.
Fred started the game well and was full of energy in the middle. He dropped deep, he sped forward and he showed good control in tight spaces. The fact that Matic had another off day meant that Fred had to cover from time to time for the Serbian, but those added defensive responsibilities did not hinder his offensive qualities.
He had a great chance early in the first half when he broke free in a counter attack, but he took too much time on the ball and Everton crowded him up quickly. He also had shot in the 30th minute but could not find the back of the net.
Fred had a few more nibbles on the cherry in the second half, complimenting well in the United counter attacks, and sitting strong to prevent Everton from dominating the midfield. It does look like he has done enough to be in Mourinho’s plans again.
#3 Juan Mata
The Spaniard was an integral part of the turnaround against Newcastle and has started the two previous games in the Number 10 position. However, Mata was moved to the right attacking position against Everton to accommodate Fred and still managed to impress.
As he usually does, Mata drifted all around the pitch during the game and gave the Everton defence a headache every time they tried to mark him. He started in the right, but moved into the middle regularly, he dropped deep and then popped up on the left. And Mata influenced the game by his quality and ability to read the game.
In the 19th minute, Martial’s cross found Mata unmarked, but the Spaniard's header was straight at the keeper. Mata kept on appearing at crucial positions in the first half as United ended the half with a slender lead.
In the second half, Mata sent Rashford through with a wonderful long ball, but the young striker failed to score even when he was one on one with the keeper. Three minutes later, he found Pogba with another beautiful ball and Pickford saved brilliantly from the Frenchman’s low shot. Before he was finally replaced by Herrera with 7 minutes remaining, Mata had done just enough to help United all but secure the 3 points.
#2 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has been more involved in games recently and against Everton, the Frenchman was in top form. He started alongside Fred and Matic in the middle, but it was clear that Pogba was United’s main man.
He ran the proceedings from the start of the game and quite deservedly scored from the spot after Martial won the penalty. Pogba, on the night, had a drive about himself, he pushed United forward and in the second half, it was his quick thinking that eventually helped United get a crucial goal.
When Pogba received the ball at the edge of the area in the 49th minute, the whole of Old Trafford shouted “SHOOT”, however, the Frenchman restrained himself, having already spotted Martial in a better position. Pogba rolled the ball onto his countryman, who finished emphatically. Just 8 minutes later, he unleashed a fierce shot that saved brilliantly by Pickford.
However, it was his carelessness that caused the Everton counter that ultimately led to the Sigurdsson goal.
Paul Pogba had one of his better games against Everton, had a hand in both goals and is now United’s top scorer this season so far.
#1 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial has been fabulous of late and has timed his resurgence perfectly, making that left attacking slot his own. Martial started the night by driving at the Everton defense right from the start. He displayed clever feet to carve out a chance for Mata early in the first half. He then had a curling effort saved brilliantly by Pickford. He was already giving Gueye a hard time, but in the 25th minute, his trickery and quick feet ensured that Gueye fouled him in the penalty box and gave United a penalty!
His understanding with Pogba has improved recently and it was on display in this game as well, as he tricked his way into the box and then dragged the ball back for Pogba to register a shot on target in the 31st minute. However, the second half saw the defining moment of the game.
Pogba returned the favour from the first half, finding Martial with a square ball, who hit a beautiful curling shot first time that Pickford could only pick out of the net. Martial also had the energy in him to track back Coleman on a few occasions, helping out Luke Shaw in the defense. He did have the chance to get a second late in the game when Herrera released him beautifully, but Pickford denied him from scoring again.
In the end, Anthony Martial was the man of the match on the night and he was instrumental in helping United win the 3 points.
