• EVERTON RATINGS: Robin Olsen – 5: The loanee endured a poor start when his slip nearly gifted the ball to Edinson Cavani. A very good double save followed at Cavani’s expense, but overall his saving ability was compromised by his erratic distribution. AP
    EVERTON RATINGS: Robin Olsen – 5: The loanee endured a poor start when his slip nearly gifted the ball to Edinson Cavani. A very good double save followed at Cavani’s expense, but overall his saving ability was compromised by his erratic distribution. AP
  • Seamus Coleman – 6: A strong performance from the right back, keeping his nerve on his return with some good runs and positive distribution up and down the wing. AFP
    Seamus Coleman – 6: A strong performance from the right back, keeping his nerve on his return with some good runs and positive distribution up and down the wing. AFP
  • Yerry Mina – 7: Made a number of good clearances, especially from consecutive corners from the visitors. His positional awareness was impressive, and he looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. AP
    Yerry Mina – 7: Made a number of good clearances, especially from consecutive corners from the visitors. His positional awareness was impressive, and he looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. AP
  • Michael Keane – 5: The Englishman repeatedly gave the ball away to the United attack early on, heaping even more pressure on his defensive peers. He made a good forward run in the later stages of the first half, but ultimately he should have done better to stop Cavani’s goal. EPA
    Michael Keane – 5: The Englishman repeatedly gave the ball away to the United attack early on, heaping even more pressure on his defensive peers. He made a good forward run in the later stages of the first half, but ultimately he should have done better to stop Cavani’s goal. EPA
  • Ben Godfrey – 5: The makeshift left-back struggled against Mason Greenwood in the first half. He also lost Cavani multiple times in the box, but he improved in the second half with a few good clearances. Reuters
    Ben Godfrey – 5: The makeshift left-back struggled against Mason Greenwood in the first half. He also lost Cavani multiple times in the box, but he improved in the second half with a few good clearances. Reuters
  • Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6: The defensive midfielder pressed well and made some key interceptions, but his passing was poor. At times it seemed as though he was playing alone in the midfield. PA
    Abdoulaye Doucoure - 6: The defensive midfielder pressed well and made some key interceptions, but his passing was poor. At times it seemed as though he was playing alone in the midfield. PA
  • Andre Gomes – 4: A very poor performance from the Portuguese who was missing In action during the first half. Sloppy passing and ball watching made it a game to forget. PA
    Andre Gomes – 4: A very poor performance from the Portuguese who was missing In action during the first half. Sloppy passing and ball watching made it a game to forget. PA
  • Alex Iwobi – 5: The winger made some positive runs in the first half and he showed good strength to win – and retain – the ball. However, a mix of poor touches and lacklustre crosses summed up a frustrating evening. AP
    Alex Iwobi – 5: The winger made some positive runs in the first half and he showed good strength to win – and retain – the ball. However, a mix of poor touches and lacklustre crosses summed up a frustrating evening. AP
  • Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7 Produced some very good attacking moves, including a dynamic run into the box. He also came close with a free kick which forced Dean Henderson into a stunning save. PA
    Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7 Produced some very good attacking moves, including a dynamic run into the box. He also came close with a free kick which forced Dean Henderson into a stunning save. PA
  • Richarlison – 6: The Brazilian had a decent first half with some good clearances at the back, but he provided very little attacking threat. He was then forced off early in the second half after ending up on the wrong side of a challenge by Eric Bailly. PA
    Richarlison – 6: The Brazilian had a decent first half with some good clearances at the back, but he provided very little attacking threat. He was then forced off early in the second half after ending up on the wrong side of a challenge by Eric Bailly. PA
  • Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 5: The striker had very little support, but he was guilty of giving away cheap fouls and losing out in his aerial duels. A poor game by his high standards. EPA
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 5: The striker had very little support, but he was guilty of giving away cheap fouls and losing out in his aerial duels. A poor game by his high standards. EPA
  • SUBS: Bernard (Richarlison) - 6: The small winger was brought on early in the second half and made an impact, offering some good runs down the left hand side. His defensive input was poor however, and he was beaten too easily more than once. PA
    SUBS: Bernard (Richarlison) - 6: The small winger was brought on early in the second half and made an impact, offering some good runs down the left hand side. His defensive input was poor however, and he was beaten too easily more than once. PA
  • Tom Davies (Gomes) – 5: In the build-up to United’s first goal, he was nowhere to be seen as Martial slid the ball through to Cavani. Davies found himself partly to blame for United’s second too as he failed to stop Martial from slotting home. AP
    Tom Davies (Gomes) – 5: In the build-up to United’s first goal, he was nowhere to be seen as Martial slid the ball through to Cavani. Davies found himself partly to blame for United’s second too as he failed to stop Martial from slotting home. AP
  • Cenk Tosun – N/A: The striker was brought on with minutes to go and formed a front two with Calvert-Lewin, but received little service. He didn’t have much of an impact, apart from giving the ball away for the second goal. PA
    Cenk Tosun – N/A: The striker was brought on with minutes to go and formed a front two with Calvert-Lewin, but received little service. He didn’t have much of an impact, apart from giving the ball away for the second goal. PA
  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson - 6: Second start in a week after his tough night in Sheffield and one of nine changes from the 6-2 win against Leeds. Confident save from a fine Sigurdsson free-kick as Everton recovered from an anonymous start to create some first-half chances. Clean sheet. Getty
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson - 6: Second start in a week after his tough night in Sheffield and one of nine changes from the 6-2 win against Leeds. Confident save from a fine Sigurdsson free-kick as Everton recovered from an anonymous start to create some first-half chances. Clean sheet. Getty
  • Axel Tuanzebe - 7: As comfortable at right back against Richarlison as he was in a more central role against Neymar and Mbappe in Paris. Needs minutes. Booked. AP
    Axel Tuanzebe - 7: As comfortable at right back against Richarlison as he was in a more central role against Neymar and Mbappe in Paris. Needs minutes. Booked. AP
  • Eric Bailly - 8: Aggressive with Richarlison as the game turned dirtier in the second half and the 2,000 home fans fumed at the decisions against their team. The issue with Bailly is injuries and errors. He avoided both at Goodison and was excellent in one-on-one situations. AP
    Eric Bailly - 8: Aggressive with Richarlison as the game turned dirtier in the second half and the 2,000 home fans fumed at the decisions against their team. The issue with Bailly is injuries and errors. He avoided both at Goodison and was excellent in one-on-one situations. AP
  • Harry Maguire - 7: Kept the energetic Dominic Calvert-Lewin quiet at Goodison for the second time in six weeks. Needs to lead his team to a cup final now and get beyond the semi-final barrier which held United back three times in 2020. Getty
    Harry Maguire - 7: Kept the energetic Dominic Calvert-Lewin quiet at Goodison for the second time in six weeks. Needs to lead his team to a cup final now and get beyond the semi-final barrier which held United back three times in 2020. Getty
  • Alex Telles - 7: Played more a left winger than a left back. Put a huge amount of energy in and tired towards the end as Iwobi got more space. Encouraging, though struck late free-kick over as United searched for an opening. EPA
    Alex Telles - 7: Played more a left winger than a left back. Put a huge amount of energy in and tired towards the end as Iwobi got more space. Encouraging, though struck late free-kick over as United searched for an opening. EPA
  • Nemanja Matic - 7: Provided a solid platform at the base of a midfield diamond for United’s early onslaught. Touched the ball far more than any other player on the pitch. EPA
    Nemanja Matic - 7: Provided a solid platform at the base of a midfield diamond for United’s early onslaught. Touched the ball far more than any other player on the pitch. EPA
  • Bruno Fernandes - 8: Passing a level above every other player. Still loses the ball, but takes more risks with his passes than others. AP
    Bruno Fernandes - 8: Passing a level above every other player. Still loses the ball, but takes more risks with his passes than others. AP
  • Donny van de Beek - 6: Neat, steady and unspectacular on the uncustomary left of the diamond. Off after 66 minutes as United pushed for a goal. He’ll be needed this season with the number and intensity of games. EPA
    Donny van de Beek - 6: Neat, steady and unspectacular on the uncustomary left of the diamond. Off after 66 minutes as United pushed for a goal. He’ll be needed this season with the number and intensity of games. EPA
  • Paul Pogba - 7: Nice touches and combinations with Fernandes. His selection showed Solskjaer wanted to win game. Moved more forward in second half as United tried to make it 25 games since they failed to score a goal in an away game. That was soon fixed. Pogba’s playing well. Another who was booked. EPA
    Paul Pogba - 7: Nice touches and combinations with Fernandes. His selection showed Solskjaer wanted to win game. Moved more forward in second half as United tried to make it 25 games since they failed to score a goal in an away game. That was soon fixed. Pogba’s playing well. Another who was booked. EPA
  • Mason Greenwood - 6: Danced around the ball and his header hit post on 24 after super movement. Exciting when on the ball and gaining valuable experience with every game. PA
    Mason Greenwood - 6: Danced around the ball and his header hit post on 24 after super movement. Exciting when on the ball and gaining valuable experience with every game. PA
  • Edinson Cavani - 8: Two early efforts blocked with good saves as United completely dominated early on with the Uruguayan as the spearhead. Grabbed Yerry Mina for which he was fortunate not to see red – he would have with var. World class finish with his weaker foot to win the game. Big game player who produces in big games. Reuters
    Edinson Cavani - 8: Two early efforts blocked with good saves as United completely dominated early on with the Uruguayan as the spearhead. Grabbed Yerry Mina for which he was fortunate not to see red – he would have with var. World class finish with his weaker foot to win the game. Big game player who produces in big games. Reuters
  • SUBS: Marcus Rashford - 5: On for Greenwood after 67 minutes. Limited impact on game, but rapid in running back to defend after an attack broke down. EPA
    SUBS: Marcus Rashford - 5: On for Greenwood after 67 minutes. Limited impact on game, but rapid in running back to defend after an attack broke down. EPA
  • Anthony Martial - 7: On for Van de Beek after 67. Played on the right and over hit a 74th minute cross before scoring United’s second in stoppage time. Played the ball which led to Cavani’s opener and scored himself as his team countered when Everton pushed everything up. Now has two goals and four assists from his last three games. Booked. EPA
    Anthony Martial - 7: On for Van de Beek after 67. Played on the right and over hit a 74th minute cross before scoring United’s second in stoppage time. Played the ball which led to Cavani’s opener and scored himself as his team countered when Everton pushed everything up. Now has two goals and four assists from his last three games. Booked. EPA
  • Luke Shaw - N/A: On for the tired Telles after 83 minutes. The second United sub to be booked. Positive for United that they have two quality left backs. AP
    Luke Shaw - N/A: On for the tired Telles after 83 minutes. The second United sub to be booked. Positive for United that they have two quality left backs. AP

Football

Gomes 4, Calvert-Lewin 5; Fernandes 8, Cavani 8: Everton v Manchester United player ratings

United will face Manchester City in League Cup semi-finals after triumph over Everton

Andy Mitten
Nick Judd
Barcelona and Manchester

December 24, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United will face bitter rivals Manchester City in the League Cup semi-finals after a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton.

United dominated for long periods of their quarter-final at Goodison Park, but it took until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker's fourth goal since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same venue where he opened his account for the club last month. Anthony Martial bagged United's second goal in stoppage time.

"Cavani's finish wasn't bad! He is a quality striker. We know when we defend well we have got players to win us the game," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

"The spirit in the camp is good and this will give us a boost going into the Christmas period."

After a rocky period that raised questions about Solskjaer's future following their exit from the Champions League, United have recovered their form, rising to third in the Premier League.

United were beaten by City at the same stage of the competition last season and Solskjaer said: "We are in the semi-finals, so we are one step away.

"It is the worst game to lose, a semi-final. We are going to do everything we can to get to that game in a good state."

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