Manchester United 2-0 Everton: Two first-half penalties earn Erik ten Hag’s side victory

Manchester United ended their two-match losing streak as first-half penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were enough to defeat Everton at Old Trafford.

Skipper James Tarkowski and fellow defender Ben Godfrey both caught Alejandro Garnacho with rash challenges.

Fernandes took the first spot-kick and beat Jordan Pickford with a precise low shot to the England keeper’s left corner.

However, the United skipper passed on responsibility to Rashford on the second occasion. It seemed a needless risk but Rashford kept his nerve to send Pickford the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season.

After defeats by Fulham and Manchester City, the result pushed United to within three points of fifth-placed Tottenham, although Ange Postecoglou’s men do have two matches in hand.

And, after Thursday’s European results, fifth is not as sure of securing Champions League qualification next term as it previously appeared to be.

The loss continued an awful run for Everton, who have now picked up just five points from 11 games and with next week’s Merseyside derby called off because of Liverpool’s FA Cup commitments, Sean Dyche’s men could find themselves in the relegation zone during the international break.

Garnarcho shines

No matter how this season turns out for Manchester United, it will be notable as the one where Garnacho started to turn promise into effective performances.

The Argentine is still only 19 but he is fast becoming United’s most potent offensive threat.

There are times when he fails to make the right decision as when he somehow failed to fashion a shooting chance from a Scott McTominay through ball in the final minute of the opening period despite initially running clean through.

But his pace and balance unsettles defenders and in luring Tarkowski and Godfrey into rash first-half challenges, Garnacho ensured the home side went into the interval with a healthy lead, rather than finding themselves behind as could easily have been the case.

United were guilty of wasting further chances after the break, with Garnacho one of the culprits as he blazed over after sprinting clear into the penalty area.

Jordan Pickford had produced a superb early one-handed save to turn away a Fernandes free-kick and he needed to be alert to prevent Victor Lindelof stabbing home a third after a melee in the six-yard box.

More to follow.