Everton
0 – 1
Manchester United

Premier League · Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool · February 23, 2026 · 71' Benjamin Sesko ⚽

Manchester United delivered one of their most functional victories of the season on Monday night, grinding out a 1-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in a match that, on balance, they may not have deserved — but ultimately, three points are three points. Under Michael Carrick, the Red Devils continue their extraordinary run of form, claiming a fifth Premier League win from their last six outings to keep the pressure on the top four.

The match was forgettable for large stretches. Everton sat deep, disrupted United's rhythm with physical play, and made life miserable in the final third. Bruno Fernandes had one of his worst evenings in a United shirt. Amad Diallo faded. But amid the mediocrity, two players elevated themselves to match-winning status — goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was nothing short of spectacular, and substitute Benjamin Sesko, who continues to make a mockery of the fact that he is not yet a starter.

Match Context: A Battle United Had to Win

Heading into the game, Manchester United were three points behind third-placed Aston Villa, with Chelsea and Liverpool breathing down their necks for that fourth Champions League spot. A slip at Everton — a side that had beaten United 1-0 in the reverse fixture — would have been damaging. With Lisandro Martínez ruled out through a late calf injury and replaced by 20-year-old Leny Yoro, Carrick's defensive options were stretched heading into a hostile Merseyside atmosphere.

Everton, managed by David Moyes and still seeking their first win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League after six attempts, were desperate for three points themselves. They started the second half with intent and threatened to take the lead before the game-changing moment arrived from United's bench. Matheus Cunha sprayed a sublime diagonal pass to Bryan Mbeumo, who charged forward and squared for Sesko — a player who had run the length of the pitch — to finish with composed authority in the 71st minute. United then held on, with Lammens making a series of crucial stops to deny the hosts an equaliser.

71'
Sesko's Winner
3
Goals in 4 Games (Sesko)
5
Wins in 6 (Under Carrick)

Manchester United Player Ratings vs Everton

Here is a comprehensive look at every Manchester United player's performance on a cold Monday night in Liverpool, with ratings and detailed analysis of each individual's contribution to this crucial Premier League victory.

9

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammens ⭐ Man of the Match

Lammens was nothing short of phenomenal. After a nervy opening — he nearly gifted Everton a goal within the first thirty seconds — the Belgian international recovered in spectacular fashion and proceeded to deliver the performance of his Manchester United career to date. He made a commanding save to repel James Garner's fierce free-kick before halftime, then came out strong to deny Harrison Armstrong at the start of the second period. As Everton pushed desperately for an equaliser in the dying stages, Lammens stood firm, punching clear from no fewer than eleven corners with authority and courage, making multiple world-class stops. His clean sheet was entirely deserved. United simply do not win this match without him.

8

Right Back

Diogo Dalot

Dalot was one of United's better performers over the ninety minutes. He provided a consistent outlet down the right flank, broke forward with intent, and delivered a number of dangerous crosses into the Everton box. Tried an ambitious cross-shot in the first half that forced Jordan Pickford into an early save. Could have been more decisive in the final third at times, but his defensive discipline and attacking drive made him a constant threat. A solid outing from the Portuguese full-back.

7

Centre-Back

Leny Yoro

Thrown in at the deep end after Lisandro Martínez's last-minute withdrawal, the twenty-year-old Frenchman showed nerves early — expected given the circumstances — but grew into the game impressively. As the match wore on, Yoro became more authoritative, winning his aerial duels and making critical interceptions when Everton pushed for an equaliser. His composure under the constant bombardment of Everton corners in the closing stages was particularly commendable. A real statement performance from a player still finding his feet in the Premier League.

7

Centre-Back

Harry Maguire

Maguire produced the kind of solid, unspectacular performance that rarely makes the headlines but is absolutely integral to grinding out a 1-0 victory. He marshalled Yoro alongside him, offered leadership from the back, and made several decisive clearances in the second half when Everton threatened. He also made occasional forward runs to try and provide additional attacking options. Won't have many people talking about him the next morning, but Maguire was everything United needed him to be on a difficult night.

6

Left Back

Luke Shaw

Shaw had a mixed evening. He did well defensively to contain the dangerous Iliman Ndiaye on the left side and showed diligence without the ball, but his contribution going forward was minimal. Everton's defensive shape meant there was very little space for Shaw to exploit down the left channel, and his link-up with Matheus Cunha was inconsistent throughout. Defensively sound, offensively limited — a fair summary of a night's work that kept the clean sheet intact even if it didn't excite.

6

Defensive Midfielder

Casemiro

Casemiro looked rusty and out of sorts for long periods. He was beaten for pace on several occasions, was sloppy in possession with uncharacteristically careless passes, and at one point wasted a golden opportunity to release Bruno Fernandes by over-hitting the ball badly. The Brazilian did tighten up his game in the second half and contributed defensively as Everton pressed for the equaliser, but it was a game Casemiro will want to forget quickly. United will need a far sharper performance from their defensive anchor in bigger games to come.

8

Central Midfielder

Kobbie Mainoo

United's most composed midfielder on the night, Mainoo offered calm and control in an otherwise frantic contest. He kept things tidy, was disciplined in his defensive duties, won several challenges in the midfield battle, and provided a platform from which United could build. He also generated a chance for Mbeumo with some intelligent possession play. In an environment that could easily have rattled a player his age, Mainoo looked entirely at home and was quietly one of United's best performers on the night.

5

Attacking Midfielder / Captain

Bruno Fernandes

By his own lofty standards, Fernandes had a night to forget. He was frequently frustrated as passes were blocked or shots flew way off target, and he spent a lot of time dropping deep to even get on the ball — a sign of how much Everton's defensive shape disrupted him. He was physically dominated in the midfield battle and gave the ball away repeatedly. To his credit, he left the pitch smiling after the final whistle — and for once, he was not the one who bailed United out. But this was a sobering reminder that even the captain can have off nights.

5

Right Winger

Amad Diallo

Amad's best moment in the first half was an effort cleared off the goal line, and he produced a couple of promising dribbles that threatened to unlock the Everton defence, but a summing-up of his night came when a promising run ended with him falling over the ball. He struggled to replicate his electric best and couldn't find joy in the final third as Everton's low block stifled him repeatedly. Carrick hooked him after 58 minutes and brought on Sesko — a decision that proved decisive. Amad will need to bounce back quickly.

6

Attacking Midfielder

Matheus Cunha

On another night, the Brazilian would have gone home disappointed. He had a poor game for much of the evening — sloppy passes, wayward decision-making, and a failure to impose himself on the left. But Cunha saved himself with one moment of pure genius: a sweeping, perfectly-weighted diagonal ball from deep inside his own half that unlocked the entire Everton defence and set Mbeumo sprinting into space. That single pass was worth its weight in gold and was the catalyst for the winning goal. A tale of two performances in one.

6

Right Winger

Bryan Mbeumo

Like Cunha, Mbeumo was having a difficult game — a wild volley blazed over the bar from close range summed up his first-time finishing on the night. But he exploded to life when it mattered most. Receiving Cunha's defence-splitting pass on the burst, he drove forward and delivered an inch-perfect square ball for Sesko to tap into an empty net. That assist was worth far more than the rating might suggest. Mbeumo showed that even on an off night, he possesses the instincts and quality to change a game in a matter of seconds.

Substitutes

9

Striker · Substitute (58')

Benjamin Sesko ⚽ Goal · Super Sub

How is this man not starting? For the third time in four appearances, Benjamin Sesko came off the bench and changed the game entirely. He entered in the 58th minute and had the ball in the net just thirteen minutes later, completing a lung-bursting sprint the length of the pitch to get on the end of Mbeumo's cutback and finish with ruthless, composed quality. The twenty-two-year-old Slovenian has now secured seven of Manchester United's last ten Premier League points with goals from the bench. He should have scored again when Jordan Pickford denied him late on. The question of whether Sesko should be starting is no longer a debate — it is a demand.

6

Midfielder · Substitute

Additional Substitutes

Further substitutes introduced by Carrick did a decent job of protecting the lead in the closing stages, helping United to manage the game and deny Everton the space to build momentum. While they did not shine individually, their collective contribution to sitting deep and holding the result was valuable. Carrick's tactical instincts in protecting the lead — and making the changes that ultimately won the match — once again showed the qualities that have defined his early management of the club.

"Forget the performance — sometimes you have to win ugly. Carrick's substitutions helped get the job done and gave the team breathing space over Chelsea and Liverpool."

Tactical Analysis: How United Ground It Out

Michael Carrick set up his Manchester United side in a fairly conservative structure, prioritising defensive solidity over attacking flair. The intention was clearly to be difficult to beat and to exploit Everton on the counter-attack — a plan that eventually paid off, even if it took longer than expected. United's three outfield January signings — Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko — all played a direct role in the winning goal, which was an emphatic statement about the quality that the recruitment team brought in.

Everton's approach was to sit deep, compress the space, and hope to catch United on set-pieces and physical duels — an arena where they fancied themselves against Carrick's side. They dominated the corners, winning eleven during the course of the game, but Lammens was their nemesis, repeatedly claiming or punching clear under intense aerial pressure. David Moyes will look back and wonder how his side didn't take at least a point given the pressure they exerted in the final twenty minutes, but Lammens made the difference.

For United, the inability to create clear-cut chances in the first hour remains a concern as they look towards a run of crucial fixtures. Bruno Fernandes' influence continues to fluctuate, and the team's reliance on Sesko from the bench is becoming increasingly hard to justify. If Carrick does not find a way to get the Slovenian into his starting lineup, questions will continue to mount — even if United keep winning.

The Sesko Question: Time to Start?

There is perhaps no bigger talking point surrounding Manchester United right now than Benjamin Sesko's continued role as an impact substitute. This was the sixth consecutive Premier League game in which the Slovenian started on the bench. In that time, he has scored three goals — all decisive, all from substitute appearances — and has arguably done more to keep United's top-four campaign alive than anyone else at the club.

After Everton, Sesko must surely be given his chance in the starting eleven. The data backs up what every Manchester United supporter can see with their own eyes: he is their most effective attacking player, and continuing to use him as an option off the bench rather than building the team around him seems like an extravagance United can ill afford in a season where every point matters. Carrick has spoken of building the team around collective shape, but at some stage, giving your best player an opportunity to dictate from the start seems logical.

🔴 Trendy News Verdict

A result built on grit, resilience, and the brilliance of two individual performers. Senne Lammens was the best player on the pitch — his saves were the foundation upon which this win was built. Benjamin Sesko continues to be Manchester United's most reliable match-winner, even from the substitutes' bench. The performance as a whole was far from convincing, but in the context of a top-four race, the three points are worth their weight in gold. Everton, meanwhile, remain winless at their new home in the Premier League — a sobering statistic that threatens to define their season.

Transfer Implications: What This Result Means

This result has wide-ranging implications for the summer transfer window. Sesko's performances will undoubtedly raise his stock both within the club and on the broader market, strengthening his case for a long-term starting role and potentially influencing decisions over other attacking options. The ongoing discussion around whether United need additional firepower in the summer — or whether building around Sesko is the answer — will dominate the transfer agenda in the coming months.

Elsewhere, Lammens's emergence as a top-class Premier League goalkeeper will likely protect Manchester United from needing to prioritise the position in the summer window, allowing resources to be directed elsewhere. Conversely, Everton's continued struggles may accelerate their own plans in the market, with David Moyes known to be targeting upgrades in attack ahead of the summer window as the Toffees look to reverse what has been a difficult start to life at their new stadium.

In the context of the title race and top-four battle, this win puts Manchester United in an increasingly commanding position. Three points off third place, with a squad that appears to have found belief under Carrick's leadership, the Red Devils are building something that the wider football world is starting to take notice of.

Final Thoughts

Monday night at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was not a classic, but it was important. Manchester United showed the hallmarks of a team that knows how to win when it matters — compact defensively, dangerous on the counter, and blessed with match-winners capable of settling tight games. Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko were the two shining lights in an otherwise functional display, and it is their contributions that will be remembered long after the scoreline is filed away in the record books.

For Everton, the search for that elusive first home Premier League win at their new stadium continues — and with each passing defeat, the pressure on David Moyes and his squad grows louder. For United, the journey continues. With their eyes firmly on the top four, and a squad that is growing in confidence by the week, there is every reason to believe the best is still to come from Michael Carrick's Manchester United.

Topics

Manchester United Premier League Benjamin Sesko Senne Lammens Player Ratings Everton Transfer News Michael Carrick