Everton 1-3 Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes inspired fight back eases Solskjær pressure

Goal highlights below

Fernandes' first half double and Edinson Cavani's first goal for the club helped struggling United to their first Premier League win since October 17, while condemning an unimpressive and toothless Everton to a third straight loss.

After defeats to Arsenal in the league and Basaksehir in Europe in the last seven days a third reverse was unthinkable for Solskjær as question marks grow about his tenure at Old Trafford and he would have feared the worst as United's defensive frailties were again exposed to allowed Bernard to put Everton ahead after 17 minutes.

But Fernandes, the man who spearheaded the Manchester club's late charge into the top four last season, dragged his team up by the bootlaces again, first firing a running header passed Jordan Pickford, before his cross aimed for Marcus Rashford went directly in off the far post. Fernandes then unselfishly setup Cavani to wrap up the contest in the 95th minute from a brisk counteract.

Solskjær, 4/7 before the match to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked, has actually now guided United to a better start than last season, earning 10 points after seven games compared to nine points at the same mark 12 months ago. He now has the international break to fix his leaky defence before facing West Brom, Basaksehir and Southampton, while Everton will hope to get back on track against new boys Fulham and Leeds.

With both sides coming into this one on the back of back-to-back losses it was no surprise the opening 15 minutes was a cagy affair, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header over the bar the only half chance appearing.

The first true opportunity to open the scoring eventually came as Anthony Martial collected a hooked pass into the box, brought the ball down smartly and volleyed across Pickford's goal and just wide of the upright.

United were soon made to regret that miss as Everton's route one approach embarrassed the visitors' defence. Pickford's long ball upfield was flicked on by the unchallenged Dominic Calvert-Lewin into the path of Bernard, whose shot went through the legs of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and snuck into the near post of a slow reacting David de Gea.

Leadership and character in the Old Trafford camp had been questioned during their current slump and United fans would have feared a collapse after going behind. But Fernandes showed both to level the scores just six minutes later. Luke Shaw's pinpoint cross from the left found the unmarked Portuguese's late run into the box and a superb header left Pickford with no chance.

Lucas Digne almost immediately restored the hosts' lead, as the game really opened up, The left back collected a one-two with Bernard, raced into the box and smashed the top of the left upright from a tight angle with de Gea beaten.

The visitors heeded the warning and started to take control of the contest, as Martial and Fernandes both fired straight at Pickford before finally taking the lead.

Fernandes was allowed too much time and space on the left of the Everton box and his cross to the onrushing Rashford looked to have been flicked in by the England international, only for replays to show it missed his head by millimetres and actually went straight in off the post.

The second half started like the first, with United happy to keep control in midfield and Everton, despite the return of James Rodriguez, playing too deep to threaten an equaliser, with Calvert-Lewin isolated up front.

The major talking point came 60 minutes in as England number one Pickford was again the centre of attention for another reckless challenge just weeks after seriously injuring Virgil Van Dijk.

After dropping the ball from a free-kick Pickford kicked his England teammate Harry Maguire in the stomach as the centre-back hooked the loose ball over the bar from a tight, close angle. VAR took a look but deemed no punishment.

Pickford went on to deny Rashford twice more with impressive blocks, as the visitors continued to offer more in attack.

Bernard and Doucouré both blazed high over the bar from shots outside the area late on before Cavani tapped home as United converted a four on two counteract deep into injury time, as the hosts limped to four matches without victory.

Goal highlights

David De Gea returned in goal, Victor Lindelof replaced Axel Tuanzebe in central defence and Solskjaer replaced both his holding midfielders with Fred and Scott McTominay coming in for Nemaja Matic and Donny Van De Beek.