Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal as Manchester United came from behind at to end Everton’s two-game winning run.
Ronaldo was always on the bench after failing to get his hoped-for summer move away from Old Trafford.
Introduced as a first-half substitute after Anthony Martial suffered another injury just three games into his comeback from the last. Ronaldo raced on to Casemiro’s through ball and beat Jordan Pickford with a low drive to the England man’s near-post.
It was the Ronaldo’s first goal on this ground since 2005 and was enough for United. The Old Trafford side kept Everton at arm’s length. Particularly, after Alex Iwobi capitalised on Casemiro’s early mistake to put the hosts in front.
Antony became the first United player to score in his first three English Premier League games following his strike.
Marcus Rashford’s goal was disallowed for handball eight minutes from time. That would have been all over for the hosts. And it took an acrobatic clearance from David de Gea to deny Amadou Onana and preserve their victory.
It was also a mixed night for Ronaldo and one of his former Real Madrid team-mates who has joined him at Old-Trafford.
Ten Hag has committed 70 million to buying Casemiro. On a large contract his club will still be tied to when the Brazilian turns 35.
Given his price tag and experience, the midfielder’s absence from last weekend’s hammering at Manchester City was a surprise. Under the circumstances, handing him his first league start was a fairly straightforward decision for Ten Hag.
Yet, even at 30, with so many honours to his name, Casemiro evidently still has some learning to do. In Spain, he might have got a free-kick when he was barged off the ball by Onana. Leading to Everton’s opener. Last night, referee David Coote waved the game on.
Casemiro didn’t let the setback affect him.
He should have scored when he ran on to Rashford’s cross, slapping the turf frustrated as his header bounced wide. But he made amends with the through ball that sent Ronaldo running towards the Everton goal for his landmark effort.
Casemiro continued to contribute in an unfussy way, taking the ball in tight spaces and laying off close-range passes.
And by the end, Ten Hag had introduced Scott McTominay and Raphael Varane for defending to see out the game.
It was a disappointing evening for the hosts, who had the chance to win three games in a row. If that had happen it would have been for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti’s spell at the club. In addition to jumping above both United and Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
They couldn’t have had a better start either. Iwobi’s goal was a wonderful curling effort from 25 yards and owed much to the tenacity of Onana.
A Demarai Gray free-kick that floated all over the penalty area and out for a goal-kick summed up their evening.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return should at least provide another attacking focal point for Everton.
