Five key progress made by Erik Ten Hag after fifth Premier League win as Man Utd yet to Master new Tactics

Man United’s fifth Premier League victory of the season was another step forward in their growth under manager Jose Mourinho.

Every Premier League victory for Manchester United represents growth. Liverpool was a scalp, Southampton a clean sheet, Leicester three straight league wins in nearly a year, Arsenal a leader’s scalp, and Everton a comeback.

Until Sunday night, United had not won in front of a capacity crowd at Goodison Park since New Year’s Day 2018. Erik ten Hag was reminded afterward that Sir Alex Ferguson described it as a “disaster” at Everton, and every United manager afterward has had a demoralizing day there.

“”You can tell that this team is evolving in terms of attitude and mentality,” Ten Hag said, “therefore I am pleased with the process.” We must continue the process.”

Everton welcomed United with the Premier League’s best defense, and no other team has conceded fewer goals. Because United is not patient lock-pickers, their fifth-minute advantage tightened the screw.

Christian Eriksen, a seasoned safe-cracker, was setting up teammates while Alex Iwobi and his colleagues savored his superb curler. There were 85 minutes left in the game, and United fans were clearly happy despite their team’s 10-minute deficit.

In retrospect, Frank Lampard made a poor choice in selecting Neal Maupay, who was handled dismissively by Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez, and whatever worries there were about United’s 30-year-old midfielders, Idrissa Gueye looked his 33 years.

United played the ball with finesse and incisiveness. Everton was only behind for eight minutes in the second half midweek after recovering from the humiliation of losing first against Omonia Nicosia three days earlier.

The hated Sunday 7 p.m. kick-off hour benefited players, coaches, and fans. It allowed United to exercise in sunny Cyprus on Friday and gave them 72 hours to recover. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer raged during a midday kickoff three days after losing in Istanbul two years ago.

“That was one of the best away ends I’ve been in last night, btw,” a pal in the away end messaged. Goodison Park can be a bear pit, but it was so dull that you wondered whether the crowd would have preferred to stay at home and watch the Strictly Come Dancing results.

“You’ve only come to see Ronaldo,” and “You’ve seen Ronaldo, now f—k off home,” were two of the tributes to United’s all-time leading scorer.

United enjoyed 62% possession at Goodison Park, which seemed a foregone conclusion, but their ball dominance was not sterile. Ten Hag drew solace from United’s second-half comeback in the defeat to Brighton, when United probed to no avail, and it has only been against Brentford when United’s possession has been worthless.

The fact that an imposed alteration did not hinder United’s flow added to their comeback. Anthony Martial, unlike in the past, is becoming a difficult act to follow.

“Everyone needs to take responsibility, and Martial took responsibility by assisting on the opening goal,” Ten Hag said. This season, Martial has four appearances, three goals, and two assists. It’s a shame for United that he hasn’t played 90 minutes for them in over a year.

United’s performance in the first half was fully in line with Ten Hag’s style: proactive and progressive possession-based play that produced opportunities. United should have taken the lead before Ronaldo scored in the 44th minute.

The irony is that both goals were scored using their preferred tactic: the counter-attack. Both were more immediate transitions from defense to attack, particularly the winner after Casemiro’s interception and quick pass.

Ronaldo’s link-up play was much more remarkable than his goal. With a forward 11 years Martial’s senior, his cushioned lay-offs pull teammates into attacks, and United’s quickness in transferring the ball was not affected.

Ronaldo had such a successful evening that he was humble enough to apologize to Bruno Fernandes for connecting with Casemiro’s cross when the United captain was better placed – and onside. In each half, Ronaldo was off for fortuitous possibilities.

Before the humiliating setback against City, United played as a unit, an accomplishment that had eluded them for much of the season. Antony was more collaborative and protective of Diogo Dalot at Everton, to the point where he was tasked with confronting the unpredictable Demarai Gray deep within his own third. He has heeded Paul Scholes’ reprimand.

“They work together,” Ten Hag said. “You can feel the team spirit in this game, not just the 11 players – it’s a squad. Again, a sub comes on and scores, and you see Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, and Rapha Varane come in, so we do more than 11 players, and I am pleased with that process.”

Ten Hag is the first United manager since Dave Sexton in 1977 to win on his first visit to Goodison Park. Gwladys Street was spared a nightmare.