Marcus Rashford’s injury poses a threat to the brilliance of Manchester United’s triumph over Everton, which was sealed by Anthony Martial’s first Premier League goal of 2023.
Poor finishing, dubious decision-making, and a run of Jordan Pickford stops kept Sean Dyche’s visitors from taking a beating at Old Trafford in the first half.
In a lopsided first period, United had a whopping 21 shots, but Scott McTominay was the only one who managed to score, and that came after Ellis Simms of Everton squandered a wonderful opportunity at the opposite end.
The Toffees improved after the break but Erik ten Hag’s men remained in control, with substitute Martial completing a 2-0 win as Rashford capitalised on a Seamus Coleman error.
The France international’s first Premier League goal since December came on his third substitute appearance after spending two months of this injury-hit campaign out with a hip complaint.
Martial’s return may have come at just the right time given the concerning sight of Rashford pulling up holding his groin late on, before limping heavily around the pitch and down the tunnel.
Everton were a pale imitation of the side that fought for a 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Monday and were on the backfoot from the outset on Saturday lunchtime.
Marcel Sabitzer saw an early shot deflected wide before Rashford was put through on goal, only to shoot straight at Pickford under pressure from James Tarkowski.
Rashford was then frustrated by an excellent recovery tackle by Alex Iwobi, with the resulting corner so nearly bringing about a 12th-minute opener.
Antony sent a curling, bobbling effort off the post and Aaron Wan-Bissaka snatched at the rebound, inexplicably dragging across the face of the empty goal.