“I think Ander was important.”
Manchester United recorded their third 4-0 win of the season on Sunday afternoon. The score line may have flattered the home side a little, but Jose Mourinho’s side were ruthless against Everton at Old Trafford.
They took an early lead when Antonio Valencia scored with a brilliant volley, but allowed Everton back into the game and surrendered several chances. Wayne Rooney, on his first game back at Old Trafford since leaving in the summer, had a great chance to score in the second-half, but was denied by David de Gea.
Late goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial wrapped up all three points for United.
Following the match, Mourinho picked out three of his players for praise – Lukaku, De Gea and Ander Herrera.
The United manager also explained how Herrera changed the game in United’s favour. The Spanish midfielder was voted the club’s player of the year last season, but has only started one Premier League game this season. He came on with 13 minutes remaining against Everton, and Mourinho reckons his impact was key in the team claiming a victory.
“I think Ander was important,” Mourinho told reporters.
“He gave us the stability, that we were losing a little bit, and then was only possible, in my view, one-nil or two-nil. I never thought in the last 15 or 20 minutes it could be 1-1. The two-nil came and after that the third and fourth goals are just a consequence of a team that was sad and another team that was happy. For me the third and fourth goal were a little bit out of context in the game.”
Herrera also praised De Gea, calling the Spaniard “the best goalkeeper in the world.”
"We deserved to win, and the best goalkeeper in the world was there for us today."
High praise from @AnderHerrera on #MUTV… pic.twitter.com/oaGnZ04Rhz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 17, 2017
De Gea earned his 100th clean sheet for United on Sunday, in his 276th appearance for the club, and the goalkeeper has not conceded at Old Trafford since April. Mourinho complimented his ability to stay focused while not having a lot to do for periods of the game.
“It’s even more difficult when you don’t touch the ball,” Mourinho said
“When you are sleeping you don’t touch the ball for minutes and minutes and minutes and then have an important moment in the game. So, it’s even more difficult and even more important. The ball goes there and you have to be ready for action it is even more difficult. So yes, he was important for us in a couple of occasions.”
Mourinho also praised Lukaku, who has scored seven times in seven games for United since his summer move from Everton.
“Lukaku knows that from me there is no pressure for goal scoring. My pressure is for the tactical plan, for the organisation of the team, and he knew that I was totally happy with him, so no reason to lose any confidence. Again, his goal was the third. For me, the second goal was the most important not the third, but it’s always nice for him, it’s one more goal and strikers always like to score goals.”
Next up for United is a League Cup tie with Burton Albion at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
