Michael Carrick’s men secured a huge three points as Benjamin Šeško’s loan strike secured Manchester United a 1-0 win against Everton on Monday evening.
Michael Carrick was forced into one change with Leny Yoro starting in the place of the injured Lisandro Martínez as Manchester United travelled to face Everton in the Premier League on Monday evening.
The tie started with a flurry of chances for both sides, and as it continued, the drizzle became increasingly apparent, with sloppy, slippy play across the pitch. While both teams pushed for goals, neither could find the net before 45 minutes.
In the second 45 minutes, United started as the much more dominant side, but it didn’t take long for Benjamin Šeško to be introduced as a replacement for Amad.
As in the first half, Everton grew into the game as the game went on, but it was the Slovenian international who struck first, giving United a precious lead with 20 minutes to play.
With the home side launching an onslaught on United’s goal, shot-stopper Senne Lammens pulled off some brilliant saves, punches, and catches to keep them at bay as Carrick’s men secured all three points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
#1 – Šeško makes his point
Some were surprised to see Šeško on the bench, considering his recent goalscoring exploits against Burnley, Fulham, and West Ham. Bryan Mbeumo started up front instead, tasked with breaking through Everton’s strong back line.
With the Toffies aiming to make the game physical and the ball in the air, Mbeumo found it hard to get a real grip on the game in the first half. When Šeško was on, it was a time that Everton had the momentum, but he prevailed with his well-taken opening goal.
Having scored six goals in his last seven appearances, he could not have put in a better audition to start against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
#2 – On the ball errors were king
Throughout the tie, there were so many errors in the middle of the pitch from all players, with the weather playing a huge part in hampering United’s slick, quick style of play.
This was quickly noticed by Everton boss David Moyes, who wanted to make sure the game was as physical, stop-start, and anti-football as possible.
However, this was ultimately his undoing. While United’s goal came from a few moments of incredible quality, Everton failed to secure any points because they simply could not find their final touch.
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#3 – Cunha showing both sides of his game
In the second half, Cunha had the chance to thread Šeško on goal, but took too long to make his pass and then slipped, much to the anger of United’s faithful.
However, just minutes later, the Brazilian tracked back to stop an Everton attack, won the ball from their throw-in, and launched an unbelievable pass in the path of Mbeumo, who was able to feed Šeško through for his opening goal.
Cunha is a rather erratic and high-risk player, and sometimes his decisions don’t pay off. However, in a side where flair is needed, he’s shown once again why it’s always worth having a moment of magic player in your team.
#4 – Lammens won the game for United
Yes, it was Šeško who grabbed the sole goal to secure the points for United on Monday evening, but it was goalkeeper Senne Lammens who made sure it stayed that way.
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The Belgian kept his first away clean sheet at the club and deserves every second of praise for dealing with Everton’s shockingly physical corners and free kicks.
A Player of the Match performance is the least that can be said to sing his praises – we may have just had a first glimpse into the future for United’s next goalkeeper dynasty, with the same possibly being said about Šeško up front.
#5 – The type of win that shows who you truly are
It is all well and good winning games at home in the sun with your own fans behind your back, but sometimes the real character of a team comes out when facing a tough, away environment.
United had their backs against the wall at times at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton making the game as anti-football as possible. The Reds grouped together, fought for every second of play, and came out with three points.
A rainy evening and intense atmosphere washed off their back like nothing, which really shows just how much Carrick has changed the Reds.
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