DANNY MURPHY: I saw a Manchester United team that wanted to fight for coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

That was a Manchester United performance of players fighting for their coach, an excellent display from start to finish and a great response to a lot of criticism. There are several ways of looking at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s mandate. Many numbers. Many opinions. I have read many of those in the last week.

I’m never really on the boat that you have to ditch a coach so early in the season. He has made his signings, knows the players and how well they finished last season has given him credit in the bank. United should not make hasty decisions.

A result like this, a tough win at Everton, will give them confidence after the international break when United have some less daunting games to come, albeit in a short space of time.

Manchester United put on a magnificent performance to beat Everton at Goodison Park

Their performance showed that they wanted to fight for the boss under pressure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

It was the inconsistency of the team that was so strange. The great results followed very quickly by the bad ones and then the good ones again.

That is not what usually happens with the big clubs. But from what I saw at Goodison Park, all the players took turns. And we haven’t always been able to say that this season.

Bruno Fernandes produced some of that magic that we know he can in the important moments.

I also thought it was Harry Maguire’s best performance of the season, taking on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been in brilliant form. Some of Maguire’s defensive header under pressure was phenomenal and he won the ball on the edge of the area to start the play for United’s third goal.

We tend to criticize high profile players too much when they are not playing well, but it was great to see him return to his best. That is what we have come to expect of him.

Edinson Cavani scored his first goal with a brilliant shot. Right before that, I loved that he pushed and closed the ball in the later stages. He didn’t come with an ego, he came with a hungry attitude to contribute his grain of sand to the team. Whether he was a desperate signing or not, he is going to play a big role for United this season.

Bruno Fernandes produced some magic moments and helped inspire them to victory.

So what is the secret to achieving that consistency? I think Solskjaer should stick with the same system and staff for a series of games. Build some momentum.

On Saturday he returned to a training that has worked for him. When they played the diamond system, they were all over the place.

Fred and Scott McTominay were excellent and disciplined in midfield. The inclusion of Juan Mata has been smart.

He may not have the athleticism of Daniel James or Mason Greenwood, but he’s such a smart player, so good at retaining possession, and ties in well with Fernandes. It makes United much more serene.

Harry Maguire had his best game yet after what has been a rough start for him to this season.

Solskjaer did well and keeping it that way is the key to moving forward. Stick with a system that suits your best players, don’t try to turn your players into one.

I don’t see where Paul Pogba fits into United’s best eleven right now. From everything I heard, he is well loved and I don’t think he is a big deal. But his salary and height dictate his stay at the club. If he is not going to be part of United’s starting eleven in the future, he will have to leave.

Solskjaer must take care of the team and himself. If that means putting a big name like Pogba on the bench, that’s where it has to stay. The team is always more important.

I don’t see where Paul Pogba fits into Manchester United’s best starting eleven right now

For Everton, it suffered on the right side. James Rodriguez is a great talent, his creativity can open up any defense, but his following of Luke Shaw wasn’t very good for United’s first two goals.

I know Carlo Ancelotti didn’t bring him in because of his defensive skills, but if he’s going to play to the right of a forward three, one of Everton’s midfielders must cross over to help the winger. This is what Jordan Henderson does for Liverpool when Mo Salah is on the right, winning games.

What he showed me was that without their full XI, Everton is a bit lacking. Richarlison is a huge foul. They just got Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman back and James has struggled with injury recently.

This is where top teams like United and Liverpool have the most options and strength in depth. United have players like Pogba and Cavani on the bench. Everton don’t have that luxury.