Moyes return to stun Old Trafford
Manchester United’s recent unbeaten run came to a shuddering end as ten man Everton claimed only their second win at Old Trafford in 33 attempts. Despite all the match stats in their favour, the reds failed where the important aspects mattered. They missed out on a possible fifth place as a result.
It was a huge result for the visitors though. Despite a daft sending off for Idrissa Gueye, they produced a masterful defensive display to hand David Moyes his first win as a visiting manager. It also moved them up to level on points with city rivals Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim was forced into a change from the draw against Forest as Mattheus Cunha picked up a knock in training during the weekend. He was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in a rare start. Leny Yoro replaced Harry Maguire in defense. On the bench, 18 year old Shea Lacey featured for the first time. David Moyes brought back in club captain Seamus Coleman ahead of Timothy Iroegbunam.
Before the whistle, fans held a tribute to lifelong fan Gary ‘Mani’ Mountfield of The Stone Roses and more who died recently.
The away side were sharp in the tackle and allowing little opportunity for the reds to settle properly. Everton made a subsitution after only 10 minutes as Seamus Coleman departed to be replaced by fellow Republic of Ireland defender, Jake O’ Brien. It was unclear whether it was due to an injury for the veteran full back.
Remarkably Everton then found themselves down to ten men within a few minutes of that sub. Bruno Fernandes saw an effort go just past the post resulting in Idrissa Gueye confronting Michael Keane. The two had a coming together before the former appeared to slap the latter. The referee adjudged that to be violent conduct and the midfielder was sent off.
That should have given United the platform to go and take control of the game. The Toffees still posed a threat at the other end though. Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye led a counter attack but was unable to find the final ball to Thierno Barry.
Their next attack was more profitable though. Fernandes was guilty of allowing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to run off him and then Leny Yoro was too slow in coming out to tackle him. The midfielder let fly from all of 25 yards to stun the home fans for his second goal for the club.
The best response by United came just after the half hour. Joshua Zirkzee exchanged passes with Fernandes who flashed a low ball across the area. It came to Patrick Dorgu at the back post but the full back blasted high and wide.
As the break approached, Pickford was finally called into action as he denied both Amad Diallo and Fernandes. It remained advantage to the blues though.
Amorim elected to make personnel changes at the break with Mason Mount coming on and players being moved around. It was all attack versus defense at this point with Everton lined up in a low block across their area. Keane produced an excellent challenge on the edge of the area to deny Bryan Mbeumo when anything less would have been a penalty.
The Cameroon national had an effort saved by Pickford before Mount put the rebound just wide as the reds ramped up the pressure. There was a curious lack of energy at times to their attacks and often slowed down by poor decision making.
Zirkzee was left screaming in frustation with about 10 minutes to go. He rose higher than Tarkowski to reach a cross from Luke Shaw from the left. To all intents and purpose, it seemed to be destined for the back of the net. Pickford just about managed to get across and palm it away from danger. He then had another header tipped over as the game entered injury time. It was more of a standard save from the England Number one on this occasion.
Despite some late threat from a corner, an equaliser was not to arrive though. It is now three games without a win and demonstrates there is a long way to go before this side can claim to be on the way back. It puts massive pressure now ahead of a tricky journey to face Crystal Palace at lunchtime on Sunday. Everton will be confident going into their home game with Newcastle on Saturday.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui (Mason Mount 46), Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro (Kobee Mainoo 58), Patrick Dorgu (Diogo Dalot 58), Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee.
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, Ayden Heaven, Shea Lacey.
Booked: Casemiro (49), Bryan Mbeumo (45+2)
Sent off: None
Everton: Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman (Jake O’ Brien 10), James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Vitaliy Mykolenko, James Garner, Idrissa Gueye, Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye (Norberto Beto 81), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Carlos Alcarez 88), Jack Grealish (Dwight McNeill 87), Thierno Barry (Timothy Iroegbunam 81).
Subs not used: Mark Travers, Tom King, Tyler Dibling, Adam Aznou, .
Booked: None
Sent off: Idrissa Gueye (13)
Referee: Tony Harrington
Attendance:
Simply Red Man of the Match: James Garner
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