90’+4’Full TimeSecond Half ends, Manchester United 2, Everton 0.90’+3’Attempt missed. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Fred.90’+2’Attempt saved. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Fred.90’+1’Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Yerry Mina.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fred.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fred.90’+1’Attempt blocked. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fred.
Manchester United tightened their grip on a top-four finish and kept Everton in a precarious relegation situation with a one-sided victory at Old Trafford. Scott McTominay’s well-taken first-half effort and Anthony Martial’s first Premier League goal since December were enough to give United victory. However, it could have been more for Erik ten Hag’s side, with Jordan Pickford making a string of fine saves and Aaron Wan-Bissaka somehow missing an open goal after Antony’s shot had bounced back off the post.
There was also late concern for the hosts when Marcus Rashford had to be substituted and was seen walking gingerly up the tunnel to the home dressing room. This is not what Ten Hag needs before Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final with Sevilla, although Martial’s return, along with Christian Eriksen’s after two-and-a-half months out with an ankle injury, were welcome as Brazilian midfielder Casemiro completes his four-match domestic suspension.
As for Everton, they must wait and see how other results go before they know the full damage caused by this defeat. It has been 10 games since Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard in the Goodison Park hot-seat, yielding 12 points, and if they maintain that average over their remaining eight games, they should survive – although it would mean another nerve-wracking end to the season for their fans.
The four remaining games against fellow relegation contenders will be key and all could hinge on their final game of the season at home to Bournemouth. But to even get that far, goalkeeper Pickford will have to stay fit. In the first half of this contest, he alone stood between Everton and a heavy defeat that could have been damaging to their goal difference. He made one save with his trailing leg to deny England colleague Rashford which he knew nothing about, but apart from that, it was a combination of good positioning, agility and alertness that kept United out.
Wan-Bissaka’s unfortunate miss
It is unfortunate for Wan-Bissaka that his performance will be remembered for his terrible miss because much of what he did was excellent. The 25-year-old has not found it easy since his £50m move from Crystal Palace in 2019, and it had seemed he had a limited future at Old Trafford until recently. But since the World Cup break, he has looked like a different player and is being trusted with a role similar to that of Kyle Walker at Manchester City.
The fact he was in the penalty area to miss his chance suggested an attacking responsibility he has not routinely been given, and the fact he has never scored a professional goal in front of supporters may explain his failure in front of a packed and expectant Stretford End. While not entirely comfortable in possession at times, he does seem more comfortable in taking the ball and rotating it.
Scott McTominay was named Player of the Match with an average rating of 7.72, followed by Li Martínez (7.16), Wan-Bissaka (7.13), Eriksen (7.06), Martial (6.86), Maguire (6.81), Malacia (6.80), de Gea (6.80), Rashford (6.76), Sancho (6.69) and Fred (6.25). For Everton, Pickford was rated highest with 7.72, followed by Iwobi (4.88), Keane (4.85), Coleman (4.80), Patterson (4.75), Tarkowski (4.67), Gray (4.66), Garner (4.64), Onana (4.62), Gueye (4.52), Simms (4.51), McNeil (4.47), Godfrey (4.40), Mykolenko (4.40), Davies (4.26) and Maupay (3.91).
Referee Michael Oliver officiated the match in front of an attendance of 73,509 at Old Trafford, with Manchester United’s 4-2-3-1 formation proving too much for Everton’s 4-4-2 formation on the day.