Erik ten Hag pinpointed one area in which Manchester United need to improve and had his say on Bruno Fernandes sharing penalty duties with Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United returned to winning ways after consecutive Premier League defeats against Fulham and Manchester City, beating Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford through a couple of first-half penalties.

Alejandro Garnacho won both through fouls from James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey, but the spot kicks were taken by Fernandes and Rashford.
READ MORE: Are Everton the thickest football team in the Barclays? This was an infuriating watch
“We both kick the penalties,” Fernandes told TNT Sports of why he gave Rashford the second penalty, 24 minutes after the Portuguese converted the first to become the leading penalty scorer in Manchester United history, overtaking Ruud van Nistelrooy with his 29th conversion from 12 yards.
“I asked Marcus if he wanted to take and he said he was confident,” he said.
“He is one of the penalty takers that the manager chooses. I felt I had my one, Rashy could get his goal from the penalty.”
Ten Hag had his say on the situation, adding: “They decided on the pitch together. But we have more very good penalty takers in our squad, Bruno is one, Rashy is one, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as well, plus others.
Related video: Ten Hag on winning 61 of first 100 games at Manchester United (Dailymotion)

“That’s very good when you have that in your squad. When you get [two] at such short notice, two different penalty takers makes it harder for the opposition and the goalkeeper.”
Speaking more generally on the game, Ten Hag was particularly happy with their defending despite Everton having 23 shots.
It felt like the victory actually exposed Ten Hag’s new nonsensical excuse for defeats but the Dutchman was more than content as Manchester United moved to within three points of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have a couple of games in hand.
“I was very pleased with the pressing and also the defending of the box,” he said.
“The only thing that could be better is keeping more of the ball, be more calm on the ball, playing more give-and-gos.
“When you have a high press, you can’t go all the time with long balls because you stretch the pitch and we don’t actually want that. But all over, a good performance and good result.

“It was a team performance but especially our back four and our goalkeeper in the back and Casemiro in the front. They have done very well.
“The way we defended set-plays was very good, really well organised and focused and everyone did their job. From the second phase, they had some opportunities, but overall, I think we did quite well.”
READ MORE: Manchester United get huge Ten Hag decision ‘approved’ with Mourinho green light issued

Luton match title challengers to stay alive as Manager of the Year impresses again – 3pm Blackout

There were stoppage-time goals in all three Saturday 3pm Premier League games, with huge ramifications in the relegation and Manager of the Year races.
 
Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield United: Cherries draw a game they almost lost and should have won
That’s a good bit of Barclays, that. You don’t necessarily expect to see such games as early as before the March international break but one of the niche delights of Our League is a game where a mid-table going-nowhere team faces one already doomed (even if not technically relegated according to maths-studying bores) and the sheer lack of peril or jeopardy or really anything means it all ends up tremendously entertaining.


There were over 20 shots on target, with Sheffield United managing nine despite only having a third of the possession, while there was also a missed penalty and VAR mood-hoovering. Bonus points for the fact Dominic Solanke was the key figure for both those misfortunes.
When handball saw Solanke’s effort ruled out with roughly 20 minutes to go, it appeared Sheffield United were going to snag only a second away win of the season. In the end, they still managed to end up spending the bulk of injury-time clinging on for a draw. Which was very on brand of them.
Bournemouth’s equaliser from Enes Unal – one of those players Man City bought, never played and then sold for a profit, which is also textbook Barclays – was ideal for coming sufficiently late to count as a Sheffield United heartbreaker while sufficiently early that Bournemouth will still slightly rue the fact they couldn’t go on and take all three points from a game that, all fun and games aside, they really ought to have won.
A result, then, that both a) doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things but b) leaves nobody happy. Absolutely perfect. Caps doffed to absolutely everyone involved.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder and player Oliver Arblaster
© Provided by Football365
Chris Wilder takes offence to Oliver Arblaster’s lunch
 
Crystal Palace 1-1 Luton: Hatters conjure another mad finish to stay in touch
While the concession of late goals at Kenilworth Road has done as yet unknown harm to Luton’s season, it has been countered by their unerring ability to snatch points from the jaws of defeat on the road.
Rob Edwards has seen his side allow late winners against Arsenal (97th minute), Aston Villa (89th), West Ham and Burnley (85th), as well as a 95th-minute equaliser against Liverpool. But in away games against Sheffield United (81st), Burnley, Nottingham Forest (both 92nd) and now Crystal Palace (96th), they have accrued potentially priceless points by scoring when all looked lost.
Related video: Why Luton Town Are Good Enough To Stay In The Premier League (FourFourTwo)

Only Liverpool (24) and Arsenal (16) have scored more Premier League goals from the 76th minute onwards this season than the Hatters (15), who match Manchester City for late prolificacy.
Rob Edwards blamed “bad luck” for the recent late goals which went against his side but whatever fortune Luton relied on for Cauley Woodrow’s header in the final minute of six in second-half stoppage-time, there was at least some design involved. The Hatters have fairly inevitably lost more league games than all but the two sides they came up with from the Championship, but rarely are they hammered. No club has lost more often by a single goal this campaign; keeping those margins of defeat consistently narrow makes these moments possible.
It remains an uphill battle, at least until any and all points deductions are administered and the relegation picture is made clearer. But Luton are within three points of safety – and in turn have kept Crystal Palace vaguely in orbit of the drop zone – and have shown enough times already that if a gap can at least be theoretically bridged, that is the only chance they need.

 
Wolves 2-1 Fulham: Manager of the Year shines
We’d already written our blackout bit for this game quite some time ago, having decided that – with all due apologies to Rob Edwards – this match constituted the ‘Actually, I Think This Guy is the Real Manager of the Year’ derby. So here it is.
After this 2-1/2-1 victory over Fulham/Wolves, the case for Wolves/Fulham boss Gary O’Neil/Marco Silva to be manager of the year is more compelling than ever.
O’Neil/Silva may not get the headlines that your fancier managers get with their title challenges and teary mid-season resignation announcement videos and technical area violations, but they’ve quietly done a sterling job at Molineux/Craven Cottage.
Having started the campaign with no pre-season and a grim, goalshy fight against relegation potentially on the cards/by selling talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic and a grim, goalshy fight against relegation potentially on the cards, O’Neil/Silva has now steered Wolves/Fulham back up to eighth/above Chelsea in the Premier League table and managed to outscore Manchester United/managed to outscore Manchester United in the process.

O’Neil/Silva has defied expectations all season, and this twelfth/eleventh victory of the season was thoroughly deserved against worthy opponents who have themselves performed better than anyone could reasonably have asked given the trying circumstances in which their season began.
O’Neil/Silva may not be among the leading contenders for the big jobs potentially or definitely up for grabs this summer but they have proven this season that last year’s eye-catching efforts were no flash in the pan and they deserve their Barclays dues. They will always find work in this league now should they so wish, even if the gongs and baubles remain destined for showier, higher-profile names.
READ MORE: Premier League manager rankings

Bruno Fernandes breaks Man Utd record after already eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo

Bruno Fernandes wrote himself into the Manchester United history books on Saturday after giving his side the lead against Everton.
United led the Toffees 2-0 at half-time of their Premier League match at Old Trafford thanks to two penalties for fouls on Alejandro Garnacho. Fernandes scored the first after Garnacho was brought down by a clumsy challenge from James Tarkowski inside the penalty area.

The United skipper kept his cool, placing his spot-kick low and just out of Jordan Pickford ’s reach. His first Premier League goal since the 1-0 win over Fulham on November 4 put United 1-0 up, but also saw him surpass Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club’s leading scorer from the penalty spot.
His goal was his 29th in all competitions from 12 yards, moving him past the Dutch poacher Van Nistelrooy and further ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 24 during his two spells at the club. Van Nistelrooy has 12 at Old Trafford, one more than Fernandes on 11, meaning he still has something to aim for.
Interestingly, Fernandes passed up the opportunity to move onto 12 at Old Trafford by allowing Marcus Rashford to take United’s second of the afternoon after Garnacho was felled by Ben Godfrey. Rashford sent Pickford the wrong way, whipping his effort into the corner after a stuttered run-up, but Fernandes’ status as the penalty specialist is undeniable.
Related video: Man Utd 2-0 Everton: Post-match reaction (Dailymotion)

Fernandes has scored 17 penalties in the Premier League since joining United in February 2020 – more than any other player in the division. Saturday’s goal was his 48th in the competition altogether for the club, putting him level with Dimitar Berbatov, Robin van Persie and Dwight Yorke.
Meanwhile, Garnacho’s driving runs into the box saw him become the first United player to win two penalties in a Premier League game. He could have affected another, too, but the referee waved away claims against Vitaliy Mykolenko for handball from Garnacho’s cut-back.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores
© Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images
Unsurprisingly, the change of penalty takers meant it was the first time that United have had two different penalty scorers in the first half of a Premier League game. Although United scored both of their penalties, their former striker Wayne Rooney was baffled as to why they had two different takers.

Speaking about Rashford at half-time on TNT Sports, he said: “I think for me, I would’ve liked to have seen him stamp his authority down, tell Bruno Fernandes that he wants that first penalty. I know he takes the second one but I want to see him take that responsibility.
“As a goalscorer, you want every opportunity you can get your hands on to score goals. He did well, he’s a great penalty taker and Marcus should be saying to him he wants it. I know he’s the captain and you probably want to have that one penalty taker you can rely on but I just want to see Marcus score goals, maybe I’m a bit biassed!”
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Man City Blow 'Red Devils' Away, Keep Pace With Liverpool In Title Race

Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City came from behind to beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday and close to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Erling Haaland also struck in stoppage time to leave the title race perfectly poised ahead of City's trip to Liverpool on March 10.


Marcus Rashford's wonder strike had fired United into a shock lead at the Etihad.
Haaland was then guilty of a miss that will go down in Premier League folklore when he fired over with an open goal just before half-time.
Foden ensured City did not slip up in the title race as he blasted into the top corner to level and produced a composed finish 10 minutes from time.
Haaland then rolled in his sixth goal in four Premier League derbies against United to atone for his earlier miss.
'That's my aim, to turn up in the big games,' said Foden, who has now scored six goals in nine Premier League games against United.
'That's what I want to do. I think this season I'm proving that.
'I understand what it means to the fans. It means everything to me. To score is even better, but it was all about the win today.'
An 11th league defeat of the season for United leaves Erik ten Hag's men 11 points adrift of the top four with 11 games remaining.

The former Ajax boss was furious that City's equaliser was allowed to stand as he claimed Rashford had been fouled at the other end seconds earlier.
But United could have few complaints after being thoroughly outplayed by their rivals for almost the entire match.
Rashford rounded on his critics this week as he hit back at questions of his commitment.
The England international has been a pale imitation of the forward who scored 30 goals last season for most of this campaign, but showed a glimpse of the quality he is capable of to open the scoring on eight minutes.
City pleaded in vain for an offside flag against Bruno Fernandes and he layed the ball back for Rashford to smash in a stunning long-range effort off the underside of the bar.
Haaland's point-blank miss
That was United's only shot on target as Pep Guardiola's men dominated from that moment on, but were kept at bay for nearly an hour by wayward finishing and some fine goalkeeping by Andre Onana.

Twice the Cameroonian foiled Foden when clean through, while Rodri was also denied by a smart stop low to his left.
At the other end, Rashford should have doubled United's lead before the break.
A slip from Ruben Dias put Rashford clean through, but a poor touch allowed Kyle Walker to race back and clear.
United's lead remained intact until half-time but only thanks to a moment that will be replayed for years to come.
City finally cut the visitors' mass ranks of defence to shreds as Rodri's cross was headed back across goal by Foden, inviting the finishing touch by Haaland.
However, he incredibly turned the ball over with the goal gaping from point-blank range.
The rearguard action from the Red Devils was finally undone as Foden produced a strike to match Rashford's in the first half.
Ten Hag was furious that a foul had not been awarded to Rashford at the other end, but he appeared to go to ground too easily under contact from Walker.

Rodri picked out Foden, who cut inside and arrowed a blistering shot into the top corner.
A slick one-two between Foden and Julian Alvarez opened up the United defence for the decisive goal as the England international fired in his 18th of the season.
Haaland's redemption rounded off a fine afternoon for the English champions.
Rodri dispossessed Sofyan Amrabat and teed up the Norwegian to curl beyond Onana.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Liverpool, Man City stars snubbed as ‘outstanding’ Arsenal target named Prem Player of the Season

Neither Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk or Manchester City ace Phil Foden have been the best player in the Premier League this season, with a pundit surprisingly giving Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins the nod.
The Premier League title race remains incredibly tight, as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City are all gunning for the coveted trophy. Arsenal’s late win over Brentford on Saturday put them at the top of the table before Liverpool host City at Anfield on Sunday in a huge clash.

The result of the title race could also decide which star wins the Premier League Player of the Season award, as all three of Arsenal, Liverpool and City have players in the running.
For Arsenal, Declan Rice has been a transformative signing in midfield, while Bukayo Saka has once again been deadly from the right flank. At Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk has stepped into the captaincy role brilliantly and has led by example from defence, while Mo Salah has continued smashing in the goals.
Rodri remains the vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s City system, though Foden has stepped up and taken his goal contributions to new heights.
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has lauded Foden, though he has backed Aston Villa striker Watkins to cause a shock and win the individual trophy.
DON’T MISS: The frightening XI Liverpool could select if Ruben Amorim takes charge in the Anfield dugout
Related video: Arteta on title race with Liverpool and Man City (Dailymotion)

“Phil Foden is now a complete player… but I still wouldn’t have him as No.1 for Player of the Year,” Cascarino said on talkSPORT.
“I think there are others in front of him, but he has grown and now he’s got an absolutely certain position in that Man City team.

Foden ‘complete’ but should miss out on award – Cascarino

“Phil’s got the lot, and I’m always amazed by how he takes the ball down, how he controls it out of the air, his feet are like arms at times with the way he controls the ball.
“And his energy – if you watch Phil Foden, he nearly covers every blade of grass when he’s playing. He’s everywhere, he’s chasing, relentlessly getting back to help out players, he does that brilliantly, and that’s without all the brilliant stuff he does technically throughout the game.
“But Ollie Watkins, I think he’s been the most outstanding player in the Premier League so far this season.
“He’s contributed so much to Aston Villa this year with goals and assists, and Villa are fourth at this moment in time because he’s played such a pivotal role.

“There are other candidates, of course. Virgil van Dijk is back to his very best at Liverpool, he’s been outstanding for them, obviously Foden is another one and you can certainly make a case for two or three of the Arsenal players as well – William Saliba has been absolutely sensational.
“But I’d still put Ollie at the top because Villa were not even close to being a top-four team just over a year ago and his contribution has been enormous.”

Arsenal in for key Aston Villa man

Arsenal will be delighted about Cascarino’s praise for Watkins, as they are eyeing up the 28-year-old as their potential next centre-forward.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with Ivan Toney, but recent reports have suggested they might be moving away from Brentford’s talisman.

Watkins would be a fantastic alternative, as he has notched 21 goals in 38 appearances this term.
Villa may also be forced into selling Watkins this summer in order to help prevent Profit and Sustainability issues. They value the former Exeter City man at £70-80million.
Cascarino was not the only former striker who had praise for Watkins, as Darren Bent added: “He’d certainly be mine [pick for Player of the Season], I think he’s been outstanding.
“The goals he’s got, the assists as well, I think he’s been dangerous and looks to be getting better and better.
“His record of 16 league goals and ten assists is crazy, and Villa are in the top four – he’d be my player of the year for sure.”
READ MORE – Why Arsenal WILL beat Liverpool and Man City to the Premier League title: Key defensive improvements explained