Manchester United’s Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (left) and English striker Jadon Sancho reacted after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on 8 April 2023. (Photo by Paul Ellis/AFP)
United moved ever closer to a Champions League return next season as Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial scored to deepen Everton’s relegation fears in a 2‑0 win at Old Trafford. The victory lifted Erik ten Hag’s side to third place and created a six‑point cushion over fifth‑placed Tottenham. However, the three points came at a cost: Marcus Rashford hobbled off with nine minutes remaining, a blow to United’s hopes of further silverware in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Everton’s chances of escaping the drop were already slim before the half‑time whistle. Only Jordan Pickford and some errant United finishing prevented a heavier defeat. Sean Dyche’s men remain outside the relegation zone solely on goal difference and could slip into the bottom three if other results go against them on Saturday. Ten Hag lamented United’s reliance on Rashford after the England international, who had hit his 28th goal of the season in a 1‑0 win over Brentford, had an unusually quiet day in front of goal before appearing to pull up with a groin injury. Pickford dived low to his left to deny Rashford in a one‑on‑one, and Rashford later headed a big chance wide. Antony struck the post from a well‑worked corner, and Aaron Wan Bissaka somehow sent the rebound wide.
Everton’s revival under Dyche has been built on defensive solidity, but the Toffees could not stop United’s steady flow of chances. Pickford saved another one‑on‑one from Antony and then rushed out to block a Rashford effort. The opening goal finally arrived in the 36th minute when McTominay, in fine scoring form for Scotland, netted his first Premier League goal of the season. Sancho supplied the pass, and McTominay smashed the ball past Pickford at the near post. Everton stemmed United’s tide after the break but still needed their goalkeeper to keep the score down as Bruno Fernandes saw a header tipped over.
United’s inability to convert dominance into goals highlighted their need for a new number nine, but Martial’s return to fitness is a welcome boost heading into the final two months of the season. An error from Seamus Coleman ended any hope of an Everton fightback when Rashford robbed him, squared the ball to Martial, and the Frenchman tapped home his first goal since February. Erik Eriksen returned from an ankle injury for the final 13 minutes, but the positive note was quickly eclipsed by Rashford limping gingerly off the pitch, just before a crucial fortnight for United. They face Sevilla in the Europa League quarter‑finals over the next two midweeks, followed by a trip to Wembley to meet Brighton in the FA Cup semi‑final on 23 April.
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