Man Utd 2-0 Everton: Player ratings as two penalties help Red Devils to uninspiring win

Manchester United got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday, beating Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford.

It wasn't the most convincing start from United but the Red Devils managed to take an early lead, Bruno Fernandes converting a penalty after 12 minutes. Marcus Rashford doubled the hosts' advantage before the break, netting another spot kick to punish Everton's defensive errors.

In what was a tame second half, Everton were unable to unnerve United by pulling a goal back, with the hosts holding on to claim an important if uninspiring victory as they hunt down Champions League qualification.

How the game unfolded

Despite their disappointing recent form, it was Everton that started the brighter of the two sides at Old Trafford. The Toffees piled the pressure on the Man Utd goal in the early stages, with Ben Godfrey coming close to bundling in an opener after just two minutes.

However, Everton would shoot themselves in the foot just ten minutes into proceedings, gifting the hosts a penalty after James Tarkowski felled Alejandro Garnacho in the penalty area. Fernandes stepped up from 12 yards out, rolling the ball beyond the outstretched glove of Jordan Pickford.

Dwight McNeil almost provided an instant response for the visitors, flashing a volley wide of Andre Onana's right post, with James Garner seeing a powerful strike from range rebuffed against his former club ten minutes later.

Fernandes had been at the centre of things for United during the first half and tested Pickford with a ferocious free kick that was well matched by the Everton stopper. McNeil, who had been similarly influential for the visitors, lasered an effort inches wide from the edge of the box at the other end.

But Everton were once again the architects of their own downfall ten minutes from the break, Garnacho dancing through a number of blue shirts before being tripped by Godfrey in the box. This time Rashford was the player who took responsibility from the spot, calmly caressing the ball into the bottom corner.

Garnacho continued to be a thorn in Everton's side after the restart and found a yard of space on the right-hand side before slamming his shot over from a tight angle. Four minutes later, Abdoulaye Doucoure managed to work a shooting angle inside the Man Utd penalty area, but his near-post strike was comfortably stopped by Onana.

Fernandes was next to work the goalkeeper with half-an-hour to play, arrowing an effort towards the far post that Pickford tipped just wide. From the subsequent corner, Victor Lindelof toe-poked the ball goalward from close range after a scramble in the six-yard box, but the Swede couldn't prod beyond the Everton goalkeeper.

Lady luck was not on Everton's side at Old Trafford and that proved to be the case with 15 minutes to play. Substitute Lewis Dobbin sent a teasing ball across the six yard box, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin was unable to end his goal drought as the ball flashed just past his dangling leg.

Calvert-Lewin and Casemiro were guilty of missing headers at either end as the game drew to a close, with Man Utd securing a significant two-goal victory at Old Trafford.

Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Andre Onana - 7/10 - Should have been tested a lot more often given Everton's frequent pressure on Onana's goal, but the Cameroonian stood up to the shots that came his way.

RB: Diogo Dalot - 6/10 - Given a good workout by McNeil, who drifted effectively in and out of wide positions. A passable display from the Portuguese full-back.

CB: Raphael Varane - 8/10 - A vital block just seconds before half-time to prevent a potential Everton goal, with the Frenchman putting in a classy display despite United's defensive injuries.

CB: Jonny Evans - 7/10 - Enjoyed a solid game up against Beto for the most part, not that he was given tested too much by the striker.

LB: Victor Lindelof - 6/10 - Still not entirely comfortable in the left-back role, but a more convincing display than in recent games against Fulham and Manchester City.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo - 7/10 - Another solid outing from the 18-year-old, who continually plays with such maturity in the engine room.

CM: Casemiro - 6/10 - His passing radar was way off in the first half, with the Brazilian once again looking leggy in the holding role. Grew into the game during the second period.

RM: Alejandro Garnacho - 7/10 - The youngster's electric feet proved too much for Everton's defenders, with the Argentine winning two penalties in the first half. A livewire throughout for the Red Devils.

AM: Scott McTominay - 6/10 - A quiet outing from the Scot, who featured just off Fernandes up front. Not involved too often in the final third for the hosts.

LM: Marcus Rashford - 7/10 - Took his penalty well and used his pace to stretch the Everton backline on occasion. Still has gears to go through.

ST: Bruno Fernandes - 8/10 - Led the line effectively given his inexperience in such a role and was the focal point for United in attacking zones. Grabbed a goal and was the orchestrator of his side's best moments.

Substitutes

SUB: Sofyan Amrabat (78' for Mainoo) - 6/10

SUB: Antony (83' for Garnacho) - 6/10

SUB: Willy Kambwala (89' for Evans) - N/A

Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Toby Collyer, Habeeb Ogunneye, Dermot Mee, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo.

Manager

Erik ten Hag - 6/10 - Not a convincing or particularly impressive display from his side, but an important win regardless. There's still a lot of work for the Dutchman to do, with United looking open defensively and a little blunt when in possession.

Everton player ratings (4-4-1-1)

GK: Jordan Pickford - 6/10 - Helpless when facing two efficient penalties, but allowed Everton to play out under pressure when required.

RB: Ben Godfrey - 5/10 - Guilty of a rash tackle on Garnacho in the penalty area, with the subsequent spot kick pretty much putting the game to bed.

CB: James Tarkowski - 5/10 - A clumsy and needless challenge on Garnacho giften United the lead and the centre-back was often exposed by the sharp movement and speed of United's front line.

CB: Jarrad Branthwaite - 7/10 - In what was perhaps an audition for a move to Old Trafford, the youngster is likely to get a callback. By far the most resilient of Everton's backline, making some important interventions.

LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko - 6/10 - Had the unenviable task of facing Garnacho, who often raced clear of the left-back with little fuss.

RM: Jack Harrison - 6/10 - Produced one crucial defensive intervention to deny Rashford early on and the winger was a lively presence on the right flank.

CM: Amadou Onana - 6/10 - Showed glimpses of his quality and even came close with an audacious overhead kick in the second half.

CM: James Garner - 6/10 - An unspectacular return to Old Trafford for Garner, who wasn't able to dictate play too frequently.

LM: Dwight McNeil - 7/10 - The most effective attacking outlet for Everton, delivering some dangerous balls into the box. A bundle of energy for the Toffees and was unlucky that those around couldn't match his quality.

AM: Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6/10 - Found some good positions deep in opposition territory but was unpolished in his final touch.

ST: Beto - 5/10 - Really struggled to hold the ball up when it was fired into him, losing possession far too regularly.

Substitutes

SUB: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (61' for Beto) - 6/10

SUB: Andre Gomes (61' for Doucoure) - 7/10

SUB: Lewis Dobbin (61' for Harrison) - 6/10

SUB: Ashley Young (75' for Garner) - 6/10

SUB: Youssef Chermiti (88' for Mykolenko) - N/A

Subs not used: Joao Virginia (GK), Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane.

Manager

Sean Dyche - 6/10 - The Everton boss will have been mystified by how his side went into the break two goals down, with individual mistakes proving costly. Dyche is seriously lacking forward players who can be ruthless in the final third.

Player of the match: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

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