FIRST HALF – 10-MAN TOFFEES TAKE ADVANTAGE
After almost a month without a match for his side on home soil, Ruben Amorim made two changes to the team that drew with Tottenham Hotspur before the international break, with Leny Yoro coming into the defence, while Joshua Zirkzee was handed a first start of the season in attack, replacing the injured Matheus Cunha.
Zirkzee occupied the most advanced role in United’s front three from kick-off, after Bruno Fernandes had won the toss and turned the Reds around, to attack the Stretford End in the first half. Everton had the first effort on goal in a quiet opening period, through a miscued Iliman Ndiaye strike which comfortably cleared Senne Lammens’ crossbar, after he’d cut onto his left foot on the edge of the area.
Meanwhile, United’s first signs of threat followed, as Bryan Mbeumo neatly exchanged passes with Noussair Mazraoui down the right flank, and although unable to get a shot away himself, a short Everton clearance fell fortuitously for Fernandes, whose rasping first-time drive edged just past the far post.
Already having been forced into an early change with Jake O’Brien replacing Seamus Coleman, who walked straight back down the players’ tunnel after just 10 minutes, that Fernandes effort sparked a row at the back for the visitors, which saw another man in blue having their night curtailed prematurely. An off-the-ball disagreement between Keane and Gueye saw the latter dismissed for violent conduct, having raised his hand and struck the face of his team-mate.