MAN UNITED 1, EVERTON 0
Anthony Martial scored the goal that keeps Manchester United in the hunt for a Champions League place.
The young French striker helped the Reds stay fifth and hot on the heels of their neighbours from the Etihad who occupy the fourth and final spot in Europe’s main club competition.
It was another important win for United who built on their success in the Manchester derby in their last outing.
The game, however, won’t long live in the memory as it was far from a classic – United has two shots on target and Everton one, evidence as to the lack of quality in the last third of the field from both teams.
Indeed, the match will undoubtedly be remembered for the pre-match re-naming of the South Stand Reds’ legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
United manager Louis van Gaal admitted his side was not as its best attributing the lack of freshness to the players being away on international duty. That is why he substitute Marco Rojo at half time because he was still jet lagged.
He explained: “I said in the dressing room it was important to win today because, if we hadn’t, the victory against City would be worthless.
“It keeps us un touch one point behind City and in touch with Arsenal who have five more points.”
Van Gaal was happy with his side’s defending, but frustrated they didn’t create more.
He said: “We only created two chances and scored one goal so it is effective.
“When we played West Ham at home in the cup we created 16 chances and had zero goals. We scored a fantastic goal today, but you need a bit of luck.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez thought it was an “even” game and his side didn’t deserve to leave empty-handed.
There were scenes of celebration before kick off when Sir Bobby took to the pitch for the renaming of the South Stand in his honour.
The ground was transformed into a sea of red and white with fans waving flags while there was a giant mosaic bearing his name.
The naming of a stand was described by him in the programme as both an honour and humbling.
The Reds named the same side that won the derby at the Etihad a fortnight previously in their last game.
Everton recalled John Stones in defence in place of Ramiro Funes Mori and Gerard Deulofeu came on for Muhamed Besic.
United had the first sniff at goal in the 16th minute when Anthony Martial played a return pass with Jesse Lingard before watching his shot from the edge of the box flash just wide of the upright.
There was a scare at the back for the Reds after a slip by Chris Smalling but David De Gea raced from his goal to clear as Romelu Lukaku bore down on goal.
A delightful back heel from Rashford released Martial who was about to take aim when Stones made a brilliant last-ditch tackle.
While there was plenty of honest endeavour from both sides, there was a lack of quality in the final third of the pitch.
United made a change at the break as Rojo was replaced by teenager Tim Fosu-Mensah.
Lukaku had a sight at goal as he produced a neat turn from Leighton Baines’ cross, but Daley Blind blocked his shot for a corner.
The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute after a wonderfully crafted goal with United’s first on-target goal attempt of the game.
Lingard found Juan Mata on the right with a long diagonal ball. He played the ball in to Rashford whose cheeky back heel released Fosu-Mensah whose cross from the right of box was bundled in at the far post by Martial.
It was United 1,000th Premier League goal at Old Trafford and Martial’s 13th of the season.
Everton almost equalised when Phil Jagielka headed against the bar from a Deulofeu corner as the game exploded to life.
There was a second United change just short of the hour when Michael Carrick was replaced by Ander Herrera. And the third switch was enforced by injury as Blind, who picked up a knock, made way for Antonio Valencia.
United were indebted to De Gea to holding on to their lead as he did brilliantly to block a Jagielka shot from Aaron Lennon’s corner.