Without the injured striker the French midfielder stylishly took on the burden of being Manchester United’s main threat against Everton
Both these sides have lost their way a little over the festive period, though not to the extent suggested midway through the first half when Wayne Rooney looked up in search of a team-mate to pass to and proceeded to pick out Juan Mata. The Manchester United fans in the Bullens Road stand were singing one of their old songs in Rooney’s honour at the time, yet the Everton captain has been back in blue for several months now and Sam Allardyce was rather hoping his distribution would be a help rather than a hindrance.
Allardyce believes Everton have become more solid over the past month but recognises they are not creative or penetrative enough when in possession. The Everton supporters feel much the same way, worried by a couple of games without a shot on target, while with three draws against mid-table opponents over the past week their Manchester United counterparts must also have feared their season had come to something of a standstill.
Related: José Mourinho turns on Paul Scholes after Paul Pogba shines at Everton
Related: Manchester United’s Martial and Lingard hit the high notes at Everton
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