MANCHESTER UNITED stepped up with a critical win just when their manager needed it to come back and beat Everton.
The Red Devils fell behind when Bernard tucked in at the near post with a smart finish.
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Manchester United came from behind to beat Everton at Goodison ParkCredit: Reuters
But six minutes later Bruno Fernandes headed in to draw the visitors level.
And the Portuguese scored the winner when Marcus Rashford failed to get a touch on his cross which crept in at the back post before Edinson Cavani slotted in his first goal for the club.
Two players behind Fernandes, though, were critical to United taking all three points from Merseyside.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated the United players…
David De Gea – 5
Was given an unwanted birthday present on the day he turned 30 when Victor Lindelof played an underhit blind back pass.
The Spaniard – who conceded in embarrassing fashion in this fixture last season – managed to scramble the ball away before Abdoulaye Doucoure arrived on the scene.
Beaten by the Bernard strike as he found the bottom corner by taking the shot early but not tested at all after that.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5
Did nothing to prevent Bernard picking up Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s flick on and getting his shot away – could, maybe should, have been tighter to the Brazilian.
Struggled a little to cope with the Everton duo of Bernard and overlapping Lucas Digne early on and continues to offer nothing going forwards.
Bernard put the Toffees in front when he got space from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and found the corner past David De GeaCredit: PA:Press Association
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a handful for Victor Lindelof but the Swede recovered wellCredit: PA:Press Association
Victor Lindelof – 7
Two minutes after his heart-in-mouth moment with the horror back pass, was dominated in the air by Calvert-Lewin for the opening goal.
Recovered well as the game progressed, sweeping up and making a number of strong interceptions.
Harry Maguire – 8
A much-needed excellent defensive performance from the Manchester United captain with headers and clearances galore to alleviate the pressure as his side held on.
Made a good block to get across and deny James Rodriguez’s flying volley after Scott McTominay gave the ball away twice in as many passes within five seconds.
Was then at the centre of attention in both boxes around the hour mark. First, the skipper felt he deserved a penalty when he pounced on Jordan Pickford’s error before being clattered by a combination of his England team-mate and Michael Keane.
At the other end Maguire slid in hard on Digne, winning the ball before clattering the man – all after Calvert-Lewin was offside, anyway.
Luke Shaw – 6
Just as he did on Thursday night, dug out a top cross when he side were behind to pick out a team-mate in the middle to head in and draw United back into the game.
At times his lack of pace meant he couldn’t quite keep up with the counter attacks but overall a solid enough display.
Although looks like the lack of recovery time from Wednesday saw him pull his hamstring.
Scott McTominay – 7
Alongside Fred, is forming a strong partnership at the base of the midfield.
McTominay was the only one to impress in Istanbul and that pairing protecting the back four raises the question: how do Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek fit into this team when United face tough opposition?
Harry Maguire put in a strong and dominant performance at the centre of defenceCredit: Reuters
Fred put in a fine display alongside Scott McTominay as they continue to build a partnershipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fred – 8
Safe to say he is finally finding his feet in this team and showed that extra dimension to his game with his forward passing.
Fred recovered from an hilarious air shot to hook the ball over Anthony Martial for the first United chance.
The Brazilian threaded a fine pass to break through the lines and pick out Marcus Rashford in the build-up to United’s second.
Found the same man again with 20 minutes to go with a neat clip over the top but the striker could only hit the goalkeeper.
Juan Mata – 5
Had to check if he was still on the pitch midway through the second half – sure enough the Spaniard was over on the right for United.
Did run on to a drag back but his low strike from the edge of the area fired into an Everton defender.
But it was a very quiet afternoon for Mata who – along with Wan-Bissaka – ensures United rarely offered much threat down the right.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
That man Fernandes delivered again with two excellent goals to turn the game on its head.
His first finish came when he was allowed plenty of space in the box before planting a brilliant header past Pickford.
And then he curled in a fine cross for Marcus Rashford who could not get a touch – thankfully the Portuguese star’s centre went in off the post.
Those two goals made him the target of the Toffees players, who took it in turns to try and kick lumps out of Fernandes. Frustration led to a late foul on Gylfi Sigurdsson and was booked as he was unable to match his first-half heights after the break.
Juan Mata had a very quiet afternoon but his replacement Paul Pogba offered nothing off the benchCredit: AP:Associated Press
Bruno Fernandes was not picked up by the defenders as he ghosted in and headed homeCredit: Getty – Pool
Marcus Rashford – 4
Struggled on Thursday night and was not at his brilliant, RB Leipzig-destroying best again at Goodison.
Final ball was just off the mark on a number of occasions – whether that be with his shooting (notably when he squandered the one-on-one), crossing or heading.
Rashford tried to flick Bruno’s cross goalwards but got away with missing it completely as it bounced in. The England striker was involved in the build-up, turning nicely after receiving from Fred.
Anthony Martial – 4
Showed excellent control but could not find the finish to match at 0-0.
Was then in the wars a little up against Michael Keane and Mason Holgate, which appeared to knock the stuffing out of the Frenchman a little on his return to Premier League action.
Some poor touches and passes summed up his first half before he was completely anonymous in the second and was lucky to last until the 82nd minute.
Marcus Rashford was misfiring with his final ball – with his shots, passing and headingCredit: EPA
Edinson Cavani made no mistake to round off a late counter attack and score his first goal for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP or licensors
SUBS
Axel Tuanzebe (for Shaw, 67 mins) – 5
Came on after his difficult 45 minutes against Basaksehir in a less-familiar left-back spot.
Paul Pogba (for Mata, 82 mins) – 5
Not trusted to start in a must-win game for United once again.
And when he did come on, did very little to suggest why he deserved to get on at all.
Edinson Cavani (for Martial, 82 mins) – 7
With Martial offering very little throughout, will be wondering why he had to wait so long for the nod. Was appealing for a penalty Keane went in but the referee said the Everton man won the ball.
Stayed onside deep into injury time to sneak his opening United goal inside the near post after unselfish play from Fernandes – and will surely be in line for a start next time out.
Man Utd ace David De Gea doesn’t let a single ball get past him in practise
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
