After a poor showing last time out in the derby clash with City, United hosted Everton looking to build some momentum ahead of some key ties in the FA Cup and closing stages of the league season. While United are looking at a poor finish to the league season, the result against Everton could be a sign of positivity into the closing 10 games of the season.

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Teams

Manchester United: Onana, Lindelof, Varane, Evans (Kambwala 89′), Dalot, Rashford, Casemiro, Mainoo (Amrabat 79′), Garnacho (Antony 83′), McTominay, Fernandes

Subs: Bayindir, Mee, Ogunneye, Amad, Eriksen, Collyer

Everton: Pickford, Mykolenko (Chermiti 88′), Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Godfrey, McNeil, Onana, Garner (Young 75′), Harrison (Gomes 61′), Doucoure (Calvert-Lewin 61′), Beto (Dobbin 61′)

Subs: Virginia, Keane, Coleman, Patterson

Manchester United 2-0 Everton

Manchester United returned to winning ways at Old Trafford on Saturday, securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory over an industrious Everton side. In a first half where chances flowed at both ends, it was the Red Devils who capitalised when young sparkplug Alejandro Garnacho drew a foul in the box just 12 minutes in. Bruno Fernandes stepped up confidently, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way from the penalty spot to put United ahead and ignite the Stretford End. The visitors, despite their ongoing struggles, looked lively at times and were more than happy to sit deep and frustrate Ten Hag’s side before the break.

The hosts doubled their advantage just before half-time when Garnacho struck again, this time winning a second penalty after being brought down, with Marcus Rashford coolly dispatching from 12 yards on 36 minutes. It was a sweet moment for Rashford, continuing his fine form and adding to his recent contributions for United. While the score line reflected a comfortable cushion, Everton’s effort was commendable; they managed plenty of shots and even enjoyed spells of pressure, but were ultimately undone by their inability to take those chances in front of goal. United’s dominance in pivotal moments made the difference.

After the break, the tempo dipped slightly as United saw out the contest with relative comfort, albeit without really setting Old Trafford alight. Erik ten Hag’s men patched up some sloppy passages of play with a more composed approach, focusing on game management rather than relentless attacking. For Everton, the trip to Manchester was another reminder of their blunt finishing this season. Yet despite the loss, Sean Dyche’s side showed spirit and willingness, giving their fans something to build on. For United, the win provided much-needed stability and kept them in the hunt for European places as the season entered its final stretch.

Talking Points

The standout story of the afternoon was undoubtedly Alejandro Garnacho’s influence on proceedings. The young winger was a constant threat for Manchester United, with his direct running and incisive movement unsettling the Everton defence. His efforts were rewarded when he was fouled in the box early on, allowing Bruno Fernandes to coolly convert from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. Just before half-time, Garnacho won a second penalty, this time handing the spot-kick to Marcus Rashford, who confidently doubled United’s lead on 36 minutes. Those two moments proved decisive in a game where opportunities were scarce, underscoring Garnacho’s growing maturity and eye for the big moment.

Another talking point was United’s overall performance balance. While the victory snapped a mini-slump and boosted their hopes of climbing back into the European places, the display was far from flawless. Erik ten Hag’s side dominated the scoreboard but were sloppy in patches and lacked a clinical edge outside of their penalty box moments. Everton, for their part, mustered 23 shots, the most by an away side at Old Trafford all season, yet displayed a persistent lack of cutting edge, missing a chance to break their winless run. United’s victory, though comfortable in score line, masked a scrappy midfield battle and highlighted the need for sharper finishing from both sides.

Finally, the result provided some context to the wider narrative of both clubs’ seasons. For United, the three points represented a stabilising moment amid inconsistent results, offering a timely boost in their quest to close the gap on the top-four pack. For Everton, the defeat extended their struggles and illustrated the ongoing issue of converting possession and shots into tangible outcomes. Despite flashes of promise and periods of pressure, Sean Dyche’s side couldn’t capitalise when it mattered, leaving them hovering above the relegation zone. Ultimately, the match will be remembered most for the composure shown by Fernandes and Rashford from the spot and Garnacho’s starring role in securing the spoils.