Man Utd's 'dead man walking' can't persuade critics who think he lacks substance
Individual brilliance continues to win the day for Erik ten Hag - and maybe that’s why many believe the Dutchman is a dead man walking.
Teenage winger Alejandro Garnacho stole the show with an electric attacking display that Everton simply couldn’t handle when the Argentinian star raided their box. But although this time Ten Hag and United didn’t miss their injured big names, it was far from a convincing team display in a season littered with mediocrity.
Garnacho was the stand-out performer winning both penalties to help clinch victory after back-to-back League defeats.
There were strong supporting performances too from Bruno Fernandes, Jonny Evans and £47million keeper Andre Onana, making strides after a wobbly start. But Everton left Old Trafford firmly believing they should have taken something from the game after 20 shots as United again gave up multiple chances.
In their last six matches United have had 134 shots against them - statistics sure to be noted by marginal-gains obsessives Sir Jim Ratcliffe and right hand man David Brailsford.
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And although ten Hag continues to talk a good game his critics reckon it’s hot air with no substance.
Sadly for Sean Dyche and his struggling stars, Everton couldn’t take advantage on a day when one goal might have led to more for the visitors who have ailed to win in eleven League games.
A different outcome looked likely early on as Everton started strongly with an aggressive press. But it was United who took the lead as Everton were caught on the counter-attack.
Marcus Rashford had already been denied early on but on their next raid United got their break. James Tarkowski panicked tripping Garnacho for the clearest of penalties.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates opening the scoring for Manchester United (Getty Images)Fernandes took his time with the spot-kick then beat Jordan Pickford to put United ahead. It should have been the cue for ten Hag’s men to assume control of the game, instead Everton continued to push forward and United lived dangerously.
Dwight McNeil, James Garner and Amadou Onana all had efforts that worried improving keeper Onana. In between Fernandes scooped wastefully over the bar and saw a free kick heading for the top corner superbly clawed away by Pickford.
Everton desperately needed the next goal but more defensive calamity left Dyche furious as Ben Godfrey conceded another penalty. Garnacho’s dart across the box hurried the defender into a rash challenge handing referee Simon Hooper another easy decision. This time Rashford stepped forward for the penalty scoring for the second time in a week with a perfectly executed kick.
Alejandro Garnacho won two penalties against Everton (Getty Images)On the balance of play United’s lead looked generous, but this is an Everton team who haven’t won a Premier League game since beating Burnley away in mid-December.
And with just five goals in their eight League games this year their inability to take chances is a recurring theme.
With games running out, that’s dangerous with League safety still uncertain despite an independent commission returning four of the ten points deducted for rule breaches. Everton continued to be competitive but United could, and should, have increased their lead in the second half.
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Next up is Liverpool in the FA Cup - and another must-win moment for ten Hag.
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