Manchester United are in dire need of points to have a chance at Champions League play next season, and took on Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.
United coach Erik ten Hag lined up with the same eleven, as in the loss against Manchester City, with Victor Nilsson Lindelöf starting, and got a dream opening.
United received an early penalty, and in the twelfth minute Bruno Fernandes rolled the ball into the net to make it 1-0. At the same time, the penalty was the Portuguese’s 29th from the penalty spot at United, and thus he is now, according to the English local newspaper Manchester Evening News, the player who has scored the most penalty goals in the history of the English big club.
United were later awarded another penalty, when Alejandro Garnacho fell in a duel in the penalty area, and then Marcus Rashford stepped up to make it 2-0.
Manchester United then held off in the second half of the game to win 2-0.
– Of course we know that we have to win every match that we have in front of us. We know our position in the league and that is not enough for us. We want to try to get into the Champions League places. We know it will be tough and difficult, but we have to win the upcoming matches, Fernandes told TNT Sports.
About giving the second penalty to Rashford, he says the following:
– We both impose penalties. I asked Marcus if he wanted to take it and he said he was sure. He is one of the penalty takers, so I felt that I had got mine and that “Rashy” could score, says Fernandes.
Coach Erik ten Hag pays tribute to Garnacho afterwards.
– He is developing a lot, and his contribution today was huge, both in terms of his runs and dribbling. It is also attractive to the audience, he tells TNT Sports.
United are in sixth place, three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and eight points clear of fourth-placed Aston Villa in the league.
Startelvor:
Manchester United: Onana – Dalot, Varane, Evans, Nilsson Lindelöf – Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes, McTominay, Garnacho, Rashford.
Everton: Pickford – Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko – Harrison, Garner, Onana, McNeil – Doucoure, Beto.
