Rashford injury sours routine Man Utd win over Everton

Everton’s Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye (C) vies with Manchester United’s English striker Jadon Sancho (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 8, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Manchester United moved ever closer to a return to the Champions League next season as Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial struck to deepen Everton’s relegation fears in a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Victory takes Erik ten Hag’s men up to third and opens up a six-point cushion over fifth-placed Tottenham.

But the three points came at a cost as Marcus Rashford hobbled off nine minutes from time, which could prove to be a major blow in the Red Devils quest for more silverware this season in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Only Jordan Pickford and some wayward United finishing prevented Everton from being on the end of a hiding even before the half-time whistle as the Toffees failed to do their bid to beat the drop any good.

Sean Dyche’s men remain outside the relegation zone only thanks to goal difference and could fall into the bottom three should other results go against them on Saturday.

Ten Hag bemoaned his side’s reliance on Rashford for goals after the England international hit his 28th of the season in a 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.

But Rashford had a rare off day in front of goal before appearing to pull up with a groin injury.

Pickford got down low to his left to deny his international colleague when one-on-one before Rashford headed his next big chance wide.

Antony then struck the post from a well-worked corner and Aaron Wan Bissaka somehow skewed the rebound wide with the goal gaping. Martial boost

Everton’s revival under