Ronaldo's impact
Cristiano Ronaldo had nine shots in Nicosia on Thursday night without scoring his elusive 700th club goal, but needed just one to hit that record at Goodison Park.
Introduced as a substitute for the injured Anthony Martial, he struck fiercely to give Manchester United the lead before half-time, his first goal from open play for the club since the end of April. It felt fitting the goal was created by his former Real Madrid teammate Casemiro, given the time they've spent sitting next to each other on the bench this season.
Ronaldo's profligacy in front of goal in Cyprus distracted from what was actually a much-improved performance. He looked sharper than he has done for a long time and got in the right positions to receive all those chances that went beginning.
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He was out to warm up within 15 minutes at Everton, a clear sign that the injury affecting Martial in the warm-up was going to bring an early end to his participation. He was booed at first sight by Everton fans who remember his petulant reaction to smashing a phone out of a young supporter's hand after defeat here on April.
Ironically, Ronaldo must answer an FA charge over that incident today and just as it looks like a spot is opening up for him in the team, it would be typical of his season if a suspension brought that to a halt.
It was telling he was introduced before Jadon Sancho here, Erik ten Hag resisting the temptation to put Rashford through the middle. Ronaldo certainly contributed.
He had been animated again in the warm-up. For all that he must be unhappy with his situation at the club, he often looks buoyant. He was involved in an animated chat with Steve McClaren and Fred during some drills before kick-off and looked to be seeing the funny side.
A show of character
This always felt like a real test of character for United, a tricky post-European fixture against a team unbeaten in almost two months with the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Throw in going behind after five minutes and you had the recipe for another United nightmare. Instead they passed with flying colours, responding to that setback to almost force themselves into a winning position and over the line.
This game won't live long in the memory and it was lacking quality for large periods, but for United that was understandable given the long trip they had on Thursday night.
All that mattered was three points and a result that takes them up to fifth in the Premier League. Everton put them under significant pressure in the final minutes, with a flurry of corners in stoppage time.
Raphael Varane's first contribution was to flick a header off Jordan Pickford's head, before another towering header from the next delivery from Casemiro. United eventually scrambled the ball clear with Marcus Rashford down injured and celebrated David Coote's final whistle joyously.
Lisandro Martinez grabbed Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw in a bear hug as they checked on Rashford and the delight at getting out of Merseyside with three points was evident. Ten Hag has talked constantly about team spirit this season and this was a sign of what he wants.
Casemiro's Premier League welcome
If Casemiro didn't know the difference between La Liga and the Premier League before his first start in the competition, then he does know.
The Brazilian had started well on the ball at Goodison but he always felt like a potential pressing victim for a very mobile Everton midfield and it took just five minutes for that to be proved the case.
Antony's pass into his feet wasn't perfect but there was never an option for Casemiro to take a touch. As soon as he did the athletic Amadou Onana snapped into him, wrapping one of his long legs around United's holding midfielder to steal possession. A few seconds later the ball was in the back of the net.
It certainly feels like the 30-year-old is still adapting to his new surroundings, but he can be a quick learner. When he received a pass into his feet with Onana pressing midway through the first half he played a first-time pass, giving the Everton midfield no chance of winning the ball.
His assist for Ronaldo's goal probably summed up his game. He tried an unnecessary flick in midfield and gave the ball away in a dangerous area, but won it back from Iwobi within a few seconds. His first-time pass to Ronaldo was perfectly weighted and got the finish it deserved. It was telling to see Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen run to celebrate with Casemiro.
The Brazilian improved markedly as the game wore on and the ability to make an impact coming into the side, just as Ronaldo did, is a reminder of the strength of the United squad this season.
Martial's misfortune
Alarm bells started ringing around Martial's fitness when he clutched his hip towards the end of United's warm-up and headed down the tunnel with a member of the fitness staff, walking gingerly down Goodison's tight corridors.
United quickly confirmed the Frenchman would retain his place in the starting XI and even in his 28 minutes on the pitch he made an impact, creating the goal for Antony. But it was clear he was uncomfortable, regularly holding his right side with his movement not at all fluid.
It's another cruel injury blow in an interrupted season for Martial, coming at a time when he looks to be slotting into Ten Hag's system nicely. In 134 minutes on the pitch he has three goals and two assists and he's made an impact every time he's been on the pitch.
He looks the most natural centre forward in the squad for Ten Hag's system, but just at a time when his confidence is returning his fitness is letting him down.
Strongest team
Martial's injury means we're still probably yet to see United's strongest starting XI on the pitch since the transfer window closed.
The side that took to the pitch at Goodison featured maybe 10 of that XI, with Raphael Varane the only absentee from what you would expect Ten Hag to pick for the biggest of games.
Martial, Marcus Rashford and Antony is the best front three on current form and Casemiro should be in that best midfield, given his quality when he's at his very best. Luke Shaw is the more complete left-back than Tyrell Malacia at the moment.
Unfortunately, just as Varane is returning to fitness Martial looks for another spell on the sidelines. United have greater depth this season after a positive transfer window but Ten Hag's wait to field his very best team is continuing.
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