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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Manchester United v Everton, Premier League

Louis van Gaal’s side were looking to move up to fifth. We followed all the action.

Let’s get straight to the team news.

Man United are unchanged from the side which won the Manchester derby a fortnight ago with Louis van Gaal bringing the fit again Ashley Young back into the squad.

The atmosphere is building at Old Trafford. Before kick-off, the club will pay tribute to one of the game’s greats. The south stand at the Theatre of Dreams will be renamed ‘The Sir Bobby Charlton’ stand with fans to display a giant mosaic as the players emerge from the tunnel.

Manchester United v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

In the day’s early game, Leicester have taken another huge step towards title glory with a 1-0 win over Southampton. Wes Morgan’s first-half header the difference as the Foxes move seven points clear at the summit.

Not long until kick-off now. Which way do you see this one going?

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

Special scenes at Old Trafford as Sir Bobby Charlton is honoured by Man United. Some of the club’s greats – including Sir Alex, David Beckham and Denis Law – feature in a tribute video.

Emotional scenes at Old Trafford. Sir Bobby Charlton and his wife make their way onto the pitch, followed by the two sets of players.

bobby

Sir Bobby applauds the Stretford End as all four corners of the ground rise in appreciation for a club legend.

stand

Right, we’re ready for the action. United will kick-off, attacking the Stretford End in this first-half.

Kick-off! And the hosts get us underway.

Worrying signs for Everton, and indeed Ireland. James McCarthy stays down after a clash with Marcos Rojo and after receiving treatment he limps away gingerly.

The visitors will fancy their chances this afternoon.

Crackling atmosphere inside Old Trafford but it’s the visitors who have started brighter. Lukaku has the chance to run at the United defender but he leaves the ball behind and then Deulofeu’s cross causes Blind problems.

United settling into the game well. Martial finds space out wide and whips in a dangerous cross. From the next passage of play, it’s Rojo who is given space and Rashford forces the corner.

Schneiderlin’s set-piece is straight off the training ground and it very nearly comes off but Everton just about snuff out the danger. Plenty of space for both teams in these opening exchanges.

At the other end, Baines’ set-piece delivery is perfect again and Lukaku is interested at the back-post but United do just enough. Entertaining opening 11 minutes to this game.

Old Trafford rises in unison to honour Sir Bobby Charlton before kick-off.

Manchester United v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

End to end. Blind is forced to make a last-ditch intervention to prevent Aaron Lennon speeding through on goal and United are quick to break. Rashford does brilliantly to keep the move alive but his final ball just lets him down.

Close! Martial pops up in the centre to get involved and he turns sharply to create the opening for himself. His effort arrows towards the far corner and has Joel Robles scrambling but it sails narrowly wide.

The game has just settled down in the last few minutes after a frenetic opening.

Deulofeu is causing Rojo untold problems down this near side. The winger’s pace and purposeful running is hurting United and the visitors win a free-kick in a very dangerous position. Baines standing over it.

His effort is deflected off the wall and out for a corner to Everton. The left-back goes over to take it in-front of the visiting fans. Lukaku gets his head on the end of it but it sails wide and United survive.

The visitors have certainly enjoyed the better of it in the opening quarter.

De Gea forced into action. A ball into Lukaku suddenly turns into much more as Smalling slips and the striker has a run on goal but the goalkeeper is quickly off his line to clear the danger.

United’s turn to knock on the door. A corner is whipped in towards Martial but he just can’t get over it and Everton clear.

Both sides have committed numbers to attack but we’ve had no clear-cut chances to speak of in this opening 30 minutes. Still scoreless at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford under close attention from John Stones.

Manchester United v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford

Period of sustained pressure from the home side. It falls for Rojo on the left and Seamus Coleman is required to produce a strong challenge to stop United in their tracks.

You’re not the only one, Rio.

Goal-saving tackle from Stones as United apply the pressure. Much more urgency to their play now and the young defender is called into action to deny Martial.

Extremely tight game so far with neither side able to carve out any chances. Just four minutes until the break and we’re still waiting for our first meaningful attempt on goal.

The day started with a wonderful tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton but the main event has so far failed to deliver. A cagey 45 minutes of football with neither side having a meaningful shot on goal.

Half-time! And the referee brings the first period to a halt.

Back underway at Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal has brought Timothy Fosu-Mensah on for Marcos Rojo.

Chance! Baines feeds the ball into Lukaku and the Belgian striker turns and looks to poke it home past De Gea but Blind sticks with him brilliantly and deflects it wide.

Everton have started this second-half very brightly and are pressing hard. United look so vulnerable at the back with Smalling and Blind very nearly getting themselves in a muddle with Lukaku ready to pounce.

GOAL! Man United 1-0 Everton (Martial)

Against the run of play, United strike. Rashford’s low cross goes across goal and it appears Coleman has the situation under the control but the Irish international strikes his clearance against Martial and Joel had no chance.

That’s Man United’s 1000th Premier League goal at Old Trafford.

Off the bar! Everton look for an instant reply. Jagielka powers a header against the bar after losing Schneiderlin from the corner.

Louis van Gaal makes his second change as Carrick is replaced by Ander Herrera.

So close to a second. Lingard is inches away from diverting Mata’s low cross home at the front post.

Now it’s Everton’s turn to make a change. Gerard Deulofeu makes way for Kevin Mirallas, who has scored on his last two appearances against Man United.

Everton are really asking questions of United’s defence but somehow the home side have been able to keep them out so far. 20 minutes remaining.

United do look dangerous on the break but Van Gaal will be concerned by the pattern of the game as Everton throw numbers forward.

It’s gone a bit flat again. You just feel Everton are preparing a late onslaught here but the way things are going, United are edging to a cagey win.

Final change for United as Daley Blind makes way for Antonio Valencia.

United hanging on a bit. Coleman gets in behind and his ball across the box is perfect but Lukaku can’t quite get there with the goal at his mercy. Oumar Niasse is on for Ross Barkley.

Everton enjoying a good spell now. There’s still seven minutes remaining yet United are retreating deeper and deeper.

That was a brilliant clearance from Fosu-Mensah under pressure from Lukaku. There is so much tension inside Old Trafford – almost waiting for the inevitable to happen.

United doing well to retain possession and wind down the clock.

Four minutes of injury time and the hosts are looking reasonably comfortable at the moment.

Roberto Martinez cuts a fairly frustrated figure on the touchline. His side have enjoyed long spells of possession but have been unable to find the final ball to break down this United rearguard.

Full-time! And United have hung on for three valuable points. It wasn’t pretty but they’ll take it.

Thanks for joining us this afternoon, plenty more reaction to come throughout the evening.

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