PREMIER LEAGUE
McTominay and Martial goals boost Man United’s Champions League hopes
With goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial, United beat Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
At Old Trafford, they have reasons for optimism. Although Manchester United have raised doubts this season, Erik ten Hag’s side have managed to get over hurdles time and time again. There have been reactions after each defeat, and while finishing in the top four may have been an achievement for a team that has won the league 20 times, the future is looking brighter. The win on Saturday against an improving Everton, who had gone four games without losing, keeps the Red Devils in the Champions League spots.
McTominay opens the scoring for United
Intense from the start, Marcel Sabitzer enjoyed his first chance after two minutes. In the seventh minute, Jordan Pickford saved a one-on-one with Marcus Rashford, United’s most in-form player. Despite the overwhelming dominance and the succession of chances, the first goal of the game did not come until after half an hour. Jadon Sancho found Scott McTominay inside the area and the Scotsman opened the scoring.
The second half had a slower tempo, except for a five-minute period in which Everton thought they could get a positive result at Old Trafford. Lisandro Martínez then sent Rashford through with twenty minutes to go. Seamus Coleman missed the interception and Rashford was left alone in the box. He saw the arrival of Anthony Martial through the middle and set up for his teammate to score his seventh goal of the season and his first in the league since December.
Eriksen returns at Old Trafford
If three points weren’t enough to be happy about, Christian Eriksen returned to play for United after picking up an injury against Burnley in the FA Cup in January. As Ten Hag explained in the press conference prior to Saturday’s match, he arrives just in time for the final stretch of the season, just like Casemiro. The fixture against Everton was the last of the Brazilian’s ban.
Champions League dreams
Martial’s comeback is another piece of good news for Ten Hag. The Dutch coach has several options in attack, and the addition of the Frenchman gives another dimension to a team that has already won the League Cup. United are still alive in Europe and are looking to get into the Champions League next season. The defeats against Liverpool and Newcastle, and the draw against Southampton, damaged their European hopes but Saturday’s win against Everton helps United establish themselves in the top four and move ahead of Tottenham and the rest of the pursuers. The Toffees could end the day in relegation places if Nottingham Forest or Bournemouth pick up points in their respective games.