“A very weak team…they only win through penalties”: Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford says only TWO Man United players was good enough yesterday and insists Everton could have won the match if not for the penalties

With a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday lunchtime at Old Trafford, Manchester United resumed their winning ways in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag’s team battled to victory and are now within eight points of fourth place after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in the first half. With Fernandes’ first Premier League goal of 2024, United weathered an early Everton storm and took the lead after just 12 minutes.

When Rashford’s opportunity to double United’s lead presented itself less than twenty minutes later, he dutifully took it, putting a blatant effort past England teammate Jordan Pickford. United missed opportunities to add to their total because they were not able to take advantage of them.

Now, when they play at Villa Park on Sunday, United will be hoping that rivals in the top four, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, who are presently ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, cancel each other out. The Reds are currently three points behind Spurs and eight points behind Villa.

Four moments from Saturday lunchtime’s match at Old Trafford that you might have missed are highlighted below by MEN Sport.

Pickford queries the penalty

In the midst of a stormy Everton start, United took the lead against the run of play after just twelve minutes. It was Fernandes’ first league goal since November 4 when he coolly dispatched a penalty into the bottom corner.

After Alejandro Garnacho was knocked down inside the box by James Tarkowski, a penalty was given. In order to confirm that on-field referee Simon Hooper had correctly called a penalty, there was a brief pause while VAR examined the incident.

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Goalkeeper Pickford of the Toffees tried to divert the Portuguese star by emerging from his six-yard box while Hooper waited anxiously for the call in his ear and Fernandes patiently anticipated taking the penalty. When he realized the penalty would stand, he turned away and retraced his steps, going all the way into his goal.

Pickford asked, cheekily grinning, “What side?,” to the United supporters behind the goal in front of the Stretford End as he was doing this. He asked the home crowd which side they thought he should dive to try to keep Fernandes’ penalty out, clearly making jokes. It didn’t work, whatever the response.

Before the goal, Garnacho goes crazy

One could have forgiven Garnacho for scoring the second penalty after he won the first one. His driving run was eventually cut short by Ben Godfrey just inside the penalty area after he moved inside.

Referee Hooper gestured to the spot, and Garnacho stood up, clenching both of his fists as he looked into the eyes of the thousands gathered in Stretford End and let out a passionate roar. The way most players would celebrate when they score a goal, he celebrated the penalty kick being given.

That piece of evidence alone demonstrated the young Argentine’s unwavering passion and determination to succeed in the United colours. His popularity among fans will only rise as long as he exhibits this much passion and enthusiasm.

Ten Hag declines to observe.

Ten Hag was a little more fervent in his response to Rashford’s effort from 12 yards after responding to Fernandes’ penalty kick with a very subdued celebration in the dugout. But that was only after he had the guts to stare intently at United’s No. 10.

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Ten Hag refused to look left to watch the England international advance toward the Stretford End as Rashford got ready to take a step forward. Instead, he looked directly ahead. He leapt from his seat, though, as soon as he heard the applause from the crowd, looked to where Rashford and his teammates were celebrating, and then clenched his fists in celebration.

That particular moment encapsulated how crucial every opportunity for United between now and the end of the campaign could be.

Young brings home a memento of United.

Ashley Young received a warm reception when he came off the bench to replace fellow former United player James Garner with 75 minutes played, following earlier warm-ups during which Stretford End supporters sang his name. Young played for the Manchester United team for nine years during which time he made over 250 appearances.

He was greeted warmly and made sure to bring Rashford’s shirt home as a memento when he left Old Trafford. When the full-time whistle blew, the two hugged, and Rashford gave him his shirt back.

Following the game, during his warm-down, Rio Ferdinand noticed the 38-year-old. Young hurried by and spoke briefly with Ferdinand as he took part in the post-match analysis on TNT Sports alongside Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott.

After the full-time whistle, Ferdinand questioned how he was still running, bringing up the fact that Young will turn 39 in July. “Look at this guy,” Ferdinand exclaimed. How does this man manage to survive?