Everton 0-2 Manchester United PLAYER RATINGS: Pogba shines

Start as you mean to go on. That would have been the message from Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho before their clash with Everton.

Three successive draws in the Premier League over the festive period had threatened to derail United’s top-four ambitions and the new year couldn’t have come at a better time to border off those recent woes.

Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford also took a wobble off the back of those results but now things have somewhat balanced back out. Two stunning strikes from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard gave the United boss the perfect start to 2018 as his side eased to victory against Everton.

Sportsmail’s Jack Gaughan provides his player ratings from Goodison Park.

Jesse Lingard scored a stunning striker to seal victory for Manchester United at Goodison Park

EVERTON (4-4-1-1)

JORDAN PICKFORD – 6

Distribution was strong, as always, and did his job solidly. Couldn’t do anything with the goals.

MASON HOLGATE – 6

Took up a number of decent positions down the right. Delivery wasn’t good enough though.

MICHAEL KEANE – 6

A little keen to go and win the ball, which saw him turned around on a couple of occasions.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS – 5

Stands off far too much in contrast to his central defensive partner. Not overly reliable.

Ashley Williams (centre) was unrealiable and was not in cohesion with his defensive partner

Ashley Williams (centre) was unrealiable and was not in cohesion with his defensive partner

CUCO MARTINA – 5.5

Never allowed United to get in behind him but didn’t offer Yannick Bolasie enough support.

NIKOLA VLASIC – 6

Most of his work was done going the wrong way. Stuck to his task without really threatening.

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN – 5

Game rather passed him by against his old employers. No crunching tackles and was too passive.

WAYNE ROONEY – 6

Did get Everton going in spells, although that came with too many wasted balls.

Wayne Rooney didn't have the best game but was a spark in Everton's midfield on occasion

Wayne Rooney didn’t have the best game but was a spark in Everton’s midfield on occasion

YANNICK BOLASIE – 6

Lively down the left, with one jinking run a particular highlight on just his second start back.

TOM DAVIES – 6.5

Energetic in behind the striker. Not given enough support by those behind him really.

OUMAR NIASSE – 5

Not his finest afternoon. It never stuck up front and the hosts weren’t really able to gain impetus because of that.

Subs

AARON LENNON (for Bolasie, 62) – 6

Wasn’t given enough of the ball.

JAMES McCARTHY (for Rooney, 62) – 7

Thundered into challenges and gave Everton a lift.

DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN (for Niasse, 81)

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-1-4-1)

DAVID DE GEA – 6

Barely anything to do against a tepid home team. Couple of anxious moments through lack of communication.

VICTOR LINDELOF – 6.5

Only skinned the once by Bolasie and will consider this another positive step after a tricky start to life in England.

PHIL JONES – 7

Has looked a far calmer defender for the last 18 months and really holds himself well these days.

MARCOS ROJO – 6

Nervous start with a couple of unpunished errors. Often the spare man in United’s back four.

LUKE SHAW – 6

Still feeling his way into form. Few nice touches and got forward well. Vlasic didn’t have too much joy against him.

NEMANJA MATIC – 6

Looks like he could do with a rest. Not really enough life in the United midfield.

JUAN MATA – 6

Another relatively quiet one for the Spaniard, who struck the post just after half-time.

ANDER HERRERA – 6

In and out. Moved it quickly on occasions but also gave the ball away far too much.

PAUL POGBA – 7.5

Grew into the game after half-time and carried the responsibility of driving United on. A captain’s performance.

JESSE LINGARD – 8

Just gets better and better. What a hit for the second and Lingard was a real nuisance all night long.

ANTHONY MARTIAL – 7.5

Stunning strike settled a mediocre game. Would always rather countering from wide than leading the line.

Subs

MARCUS RASHFORD (for Martial, 77)

DALEY BLIND (for Lingard, 87)

AXEL TUANZEBE (for Mata, 90)



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk