Three things learnt as Everton frustrated Manchester United at Old Trafford

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Herrera’s return a welcome boost

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera returning for Tuesday’s encounter, two of Manchester United’s best players this season, there was a collective sigh of relief before kick-off at Old Trafford.

Whilst Ibrahimovic was slightly off the boil on the night, Herrera was his usual exemplary self and proved just how important an asset he has become for Jose Mourinho’s side over the past season.

Starting in a more forward midfield role in front of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini, the little Spaniard was always looking to drive forward and move the ball around quickly in the final third of the field, visibly wanting to allow Marcus Rashford to exploit the space in behind Everton’s defence.

He nearly got his side straight back into the match too, firing a shot against the crossbar from a tight angle after Daley Blind’s initial free-kick was parried away by the inspired Joel Robles.

For the opening half he was arguably the hosts’ best player, until Mourinho’s bizarre decision to deploy him as a left-back, then a right-back, for the remaining 40 minutes of the match.

It’s not a position that Herrera would be particularly used to, and it’s easy to argue that he could have added far more creativity to United’s attacks if he was playing alongside Pogba further up the pitch, but his class showed and he slotted into the role without making a fuss, doing a decent job.

87% passing accuracy, combined with three interceptions and three clearances, is a good return for Herrera on his re-introduction to the starting eleven, and United will need him in a testing April run.