PLAYER RATINGS: Sabitzer and Fernandes impress for United as Pickford pulls off countless saves
Manchester United secured a hugely important 2-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford to consolidate their pursuit of a Champions League spot at the end of the season.
Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial scored the goals for the hosts either side of half-time, with the Red Devils being particularly impressive in the opening period.
Jordan Pickford was hugely impressive for the visitors despite conceding two goals, making a number of saves with both his hands and feet.
Marcel Sabitzer and Bruno Fernandes excelled in the center of the field for Erik ten Hag’s side, while Harry Maguire led his side to a comfortable clean sheet in his first start since February 12.
The result leaves United six points behind Tottenham in fifth place, while Everton still have it all to do on the other side of the table ahead of the run-up to the Premier League.
Scott McTominay scored before the break to put Manchester United ahead in the game
Anthony Martial scored his eighth goal in 16 games against Everton after coming off the bench
Sean Dyche’s side are in the middle of a relegation battle after another defeat at Old Trafford
Manchester United (4-2-3-1):
David DeGea6
The Spaniard had little to do but work on his tan in a sun-drenched Old Trafford while his teammates camped out in the Everton half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7
Should have put United ahead from the rebound when Antony’s shot came back off the post. Only scored twice in 149 appearances – and it showed.
Harry Maguire7
A rare start for the England defender who did what he had to to seal a comfortable clean sheet.
Lisandro Martinez 7
Erik ten Hag’s men have not lost a point at home this season by scoring first and the Argentinian defender helped to maintain that impressive statistic.
Tyrell Malacia 7
In for the injured Luke Shaw and left no one in the lurch. Kept it very simple – won it, passed it and played his part in a solid defensive display.
Scott McTominay7
Continue his fine goalscoring form with Scotland by finding the net for the first time in the Premier League this season with a confident finish.
Harry Maguire impressed on his return to the starting line-up, keeping a comfortable clean sheet
Bruno Fernandes pulled the strings in midfield for United in his deeper role at Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes7
Researched and spurred on from an often deep-lying position, he played an important part in United’s Premier League campaign with 21 shots on target in the first half.
Anthony 5
Spent a couple of representative chances in the first half in an unusually restrained performance and could have few complaints as he hooked after the break.
Marcel Sabitzer8
Continues to impress with his zealous displays in United’s engine room and almost weighs in with a goal in the first half.
Jaden Sancho6
Neat and tidy without ever being spectacular, it did what it was supposed to but largely under the radar.
Marcus Rashford7
Provide the second goal but a low-key 350th United appearance for the England striker who is worried about injury after coming off late with a groin problem
Substitutes
Anthony Martial for Antony 60 minutes – 7
Fred for Sabitzer 76min
Christian Eriksen for Sancho 77 mins
Wout Weghorst for Rashford 81 mins
Substitutes (not used) Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, Pellistri, Butland.
Marcel Sabitzer’s diligent performance for the Red Devils saw him finish the game as his team’s best player
Everton (4-4-2):
Jordan Pickford8
Arms, legs, chest. It was almost an anatomical test to find a part of the body that the busy England goalkeeper was not using to thwart the hosts.
Seamus Coleman4
The Everton captain was at fault for the second goal in a typically heartfelt display comparable in effectiveness to Custer’s Last Stand.
Michael Keane4
Not a good day for an Everton defender and while Keane has stuck to his job, he will want to forget this cathartic 90 minutes rather quickly.
James Tarkowski5
Not the only one in Everton’s back four who look vulnerable to a ball over the top as United’s midfielders chose their passes at will.
Jordan Pickford saved with almost every part of his body in a heroic performance in goal
Anonymous on Saturday afternoon, Idrissa Gueye was comfortably the worst player in the game
Ben Godfrey 4
Used his pace to recover a few times after being caught out of position, most notably with a goal-saving challenge to deny Antony in the first half.
Idrissa Gueye3
Largely anonymous and far too often unable to provide the midfield press needed to put any pressure on his United counterparts.
Demarai Gray 4
Wasted a good early chance when he tried to trick the officials into awarding a penalty instead of focusing on actually trying to find the net.
Alex Iwobi 4
I did a lot of work to trace back to help the defense, but largely at the expense of an offensive threat.
Amadou Onana 4
Missed the presence of the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure alongside him in midfield, and it was no surprise when he was substituted in the second half.
Dwight McNeil was a bright spark for the Toffees down the left side and emerged with an improved reputation
Dwight McNeil6
The Manchester United supporting Old Trafford Academy product was one of the few Everton players to emerge with an improved reputation.
Ellis Simms 4
The young striker failed to make good contact with the ball as he squandered a golden early chance to break the deadlock.
Substitutes
Vitaliy Mykolenko for Godfrey 46 mins – 5
Tom Davies for Onana 60 mins – 5
James Garner for Gueye 60 mins – 5
Youngster Ellis Simms struggled in front of goal before being substituted for Neal Maupay
Neal Maupay for Simms 70 mins – 4
Nathan Patterson for Coleman 87 minutes
Replacements (not used) Holgate, Mina, Begovic, Coady.
Referee: Michael Oliver 7