Everton paid the penalty at Old Trafford as Manchester United converted two first-half spot kicks in a comfortable 2-0 victory that condemned the visitors to an 11th Premier League match without a win.
Erik ten Hag’s side bounced back strongly from their 3-1 defeat at derby rivals Manchester City last week with Bruno Fernandes (12′) and Marcus Rashford (36′) converting penalties as United closed the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham to three points.
Sean Dyche’s Everton enjoyed plenty of possession without providing any sort of clinical edge, and were their own worst enemies as James Tarkowski felled Alejandro Garnacho to concede the first penalty before Ben Godfrey did likewise with another ill-advised challenge on the livewire United winger.
The visitors have only won once at Old Trafford in 31 outings in the league and remain fifth bottom of the table, five points clear of third-from-bottom Luton, who have played two games fewer.
United next host fierce rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next Sunday, while Everton have a three-week break to regroup before they chase an elusive first league win of the year at Bournemouth on March 30.
Erik ten Hag’s side clearly still believe they can reel in Tottenham and Aston Villa to finish in the UEFA Champions League spots, but is it a realistic aim?
“I think Manchester United have to chalk off the wins, and hope the teams above them start dropping points,” said former United defender Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports ahead of Villa’s meeting with Spurs on Sunday afternoon.
“United have unfortunately put themselves in this position, and are going to have to rely on other people to have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.”
Ferdinand’s former United team-mate Wayne Rooney believes they face an uphill struggle because they are too open in matches after apparently facing 134 shots in their past six games.
“I don’t think Manchester United will make the top four,” Rooney said. “They almost have to win every game, and they are very inconsistent. I don’t see them winning every game.
“I think it is going to be very difficult. It is too easy for teams to get opportunities against them.” (Eurosport)