Maguire and Fred made stellar performances, but Rashford and Martial got off the beat in Everton’s win



[ad_1]

MANCHESTER UNITED stepped up with a critical victory just when their coach needed it to come back and beat Everton.

The Red Devils were left behind when Bernard hit the first post with a clever shot.

⚠️ Read our Man United Live Blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Manchester United rallied to beat Everton at Goodison Park

9

Manchester United came back to beat Everton at Goodison ParkCredit: Reuters

But six minutes later, Bruno Fernandes headed in to tie the visitors.

And the Portuguese scored the winning goal when Marcus Rashford failed to get a touch down his center that sneaked into the back post before Edinson Cavani scored his first goal for the club.

However, two players behind Fernandes were instrumental in helping United take all three points from Merseyside.

Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated United players …

David De Gea – 5

He received an unwanted birthday present on the day he turned 30 when Victor Lindelof played a backward blind pass with little hit.

The Spaniard, who conceded in an embarrassing way in this match last season, managed to get the ball away before Abdoulaye Doucoure arrived on the scene.

Defeated by Bernard’s strike when he found the bottom corner by shooting early, but didn’t test at all after that.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka -5

He did nothing to stop Bernard from taking up the Dominic Calvert-Lewin film and pulling his shot away; it could, maybe it should, have been tighter for the Brazilian.

He struggled a bit to cope with the Everton duo of Bernard and Lucas Digne’s overlap early on and continues to offer nothing going forward.

Bernard put the Toffees in front when he got space from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and found the corner past David De Gea

9

Bernard put the Toffees in front when he got space from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and found the corner past David De GeaCredit: PA: Press Association
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a handful for Victor Lindelof but the Swede recovered well

9

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a handful for Victor Lindelof but the Swede recovered wellCredit: PA: Press Association

Victor Lindelof – 7

Two minutes after his heart-to-mouth moment with the horrifying back pass, he was dominated in the air by Calvert-Lewin for the opening goal.

He recovered well as the game progressed, sweeping and making a series of heavy interceptions.

Harry Maguire – 8

An excellent, much-needed defensive performance from the Manchester United captain with headers and punts galore to ease the pressure as his team held on.

He made a good block to cross and deny James Rodriguez’s flying volley after Scott McTominay gave up the ball twice on as many passes in five seconds.

He was then the center of attention in both boxes around the hour mark. First, the captain felt he deserved a penalty when he pounced on Jordan Pickford’s mistake before being hit by a combination of his England teammate and Michael Keane.

At the other end, Maguire slid hard on Digne, winning the ball before hitting the man, all after Calvert-Lewin was offside, anyway.

Luke Shaw – 6

Just as he did Thursday night, he pulled a top cross when his side was back to pick a teammate in the middle to come in head-on and bring United back into the game.

Sometimes his lack of pace meant he couldn’t keep up with the counterattacks, but overall a solid enough display.

Although it appears that the lack of recovery time on Wednesday saw him tug at his hamstring.

Scott McTominay – 7

Together with Fred, he is forming a strong association at the base of midfield.

McTominay was the only one to impress in Istanbul and that couple protecting the four behind them begs the question: how do Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek fit into this team when United face tough opposition?

Harry Maguire put in a strong and commanding performance in the center of defense

9

Harry Maguire put in a strong and commanding performance in center defenseCredit: Reuters
Fred put on an excellent display alongside Scott McTominay as they continue to build a partnership

9

Fred put on an excellent display alongside Scott McTominay as they continue to build a partnershipCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Fred – 8

It’s safe to say that he’s finally finding his place on this team and he showed that extra dimension to his game with his forward passes.

Fred rallied from a hilarious aerial shot to hook the ball over Anthony Martial at United’s first opportunity.

The Brazilian made a good pass to break the lines and select Marcus Rashford in preparation for United’s second.

He found the same man again with 20 minutes to go with a good clip on top, but the forward could only hit the goalkeeper.

Juan Mata – 5

I had to check if he was still on the field in the middle of the second half; sure that the Spanish was on the right for United.

He ran into a backward drag, but his low blow from the edge of the box hit an Everton defender.

But it was a very quiet afternoon for Mata who, along with Wan-Bissaka, says United rarely offered much threat on the right.

Bruno Fernandes – 8

That man Fernandes returned with two excellent goals to turn the game around.

His first finish came when he was allowed plenty of room in the area before planting a brilliant header on Pickford.

And then he snuggled into a good cross for Marcus Rashford who couldn’t get a touch; Fortunately, the center of the Portuguese star entered the post.

Those two goals made him the target of the Toffees players, who took turns trying to get lumps out of Fernandes. Frustration led to a late foul on Gylfi Sigurdsson and he was booked for failing to match his first-half heights after the break.

Juan Mata had a very quiet afternoon but his replacement Paul Pogba did not offer anything from the bench

9

Juan Mata had a very quiet afternoon but his replacement Paul Pogba did not offer anything from the benchCredit: AP: Associated Press
Bruno Fernandes was not picked up by the defenders as he entered and headed home

9

Bruno Fernandes was not picked up by the defenders as he entered and headed homeCredit: Getty – Pool

Marcus Rashford – 4

He fought Thursday night and was not at his best, RB Leipzig, destroying better again at Goodison.

The final ball was off the mark on several occasions, either with his shot (especially when he blew the one-on-one), crossing or heading.

Rashford tried to throw a cross pass from Bruno into the goal, but he got away with it and completely missed when it rebounded. The England forward was involved in the preparation, spinning very well after receiving from Fred.

Anthony Martial – 4

He showed excellent control but could not find the shot to equalize at 0-0.

So he was in the wars a bit against Michael Keane and Mason Holgate, which seemed to hit the Frenchman a bit on his return to Premier League action.

Some poor touches and passes summed up his first half before being completely anonymous in the second and he was lucky to last until the 82nd minute.

Marcus Rashford was missing with his last ball, with his shots, passes and headers

9

Marcus Rashford was missing with his last ball, with his shots, passes and headersCredit: EPA
Edinson Cavani was right to round off a late counterattack and score his first goal for the Red Devils

9

Edinson Cavani was right to round off a late counterattack and score his first goal for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP or licensees

SUBS

Axel Tuanzebe (for Shaw, 67 minutes) – 5

He entered after his difficult 45 minutes against Basaksehir in a less familiar left-back position.

Paul Pogba (for Mata, 82 minutes) – 5

He is not confident about starting a game that must win for United once again.

And when it came, it did very little to suggest why it deserved to move on.

Edinson Cavani (for Martial, 82 minutes) – 7

With Martial offering very little at all times, you’ll wonder why you had to wait so long for assent. He was appealing for a penalty Keane came in but the referee said the Everton man won the ball.

He stood aside in injury time to sneak his first United goal inside the near post after a selfless play by Fernandes, and will surely be in line to start next time.

Manchester United ace David de Gea doesn’t let a single ball pass him in practice



[ad_2]