Anthony Martial scored the only goal of the match as Manchester United moved to within one point of the top four in the Premier League table, with a 1-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford.
Martial struck early in the second period to make it four straight home league wins for Man United as Everton, who remain in the bottom half of the table, lost on the road for just the second time in the league this season.
Both teams were full of pace and purpose in the opening 15 minutes, with Martial and Rashford causing Everton problems down the left and Gerard Deulofeu threatening to open up the home side’s defence with his ability to carry the ball.
Lukaku managed to pin Daley Blind in the 14th minute and looked to put Aaron Lennon through on goal with a clever touch, but Man United’s Dutch centre-back just about did enough to prevent a one-on-one situation with David de Gea.
It was a first period where both teams continued to commit players in the final third, but the final pass was lacking in both halves of the field as referee Andre Mariner brought the first 45 minutes, which failed to produce a single shot on target, to a halt with the score level at 0-0.
Man United made the breakthrough in the 54th minute though when Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who came on at half-time for the disappointing Marcos Rojo, delivered a low cross into Martial and the Frenchman netted from close range, albeit with help from the foot of Everton stopper Joel Robles.
It was Martial’s 13th league goal of the season and Man United’s 1000th Premier League goal at Old Trafford.
Everton had a golden chance to level in the 56th minute when Phil Jagielka found himself unmarked inside the box from a corner, but the England international’s header rattled the woodwork.
Jagielka again came close in the 83rd minute from another Everton corner, but De Gea was on hand to make the save, before Cleverley had a strike blocked on the edge of the box.
Fosu-Mensah pulled off a wonderful last-ditch clearance five minutes from time as Everton continued to press forward and it proved decisive as Man United held on to record all the points and continue their push for the Champions League.
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