Man of the match Angel Di Maria said his award should have gone to Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea after his side recorded back-to-back wins for the first time under Louis van Gaal with a 2-1 win over Everton.

Di Maria put United ahead midway through the first half as he fired home from Juan Mata's cross for his third goal of the season. But the Toffees had the chance to level matters at the break after Tony Hibbert was brought down by Luke Shaw on the stroke of half-time.

Leighton Baines stepped up to take the resulting penalty and aimed for the bottom left but was thwarted by De Gea, who made a big one-handed save.

Baines made up for his mistake 10 minutes into the second half as he picked out Steven Naismith with a pinpoint cross in the centre of the penalty box and the Scot headed home from close range with the equaliser.

The hosts were back in front just after the hour mark as Di Maria turned provider for fellow summer recruit Radamel Falcao, who slotted the ball past Tim Howard from six yards out to make it 2-1 with his first United goal.

De Gea did well to keep out a two late Leon Osman strikes, one from Gareth Barry and one fantastic effort from Bryan Oviedo as the hosts held on for the three points.

Di Maria told BT Sport 1: "I think David is the guy the who deserves this reward rather than myself he saved us throughout the game and particularly towards the end and the penalty as well so not only him but the rest of the side deserve this.''

He also reserved praise for fellow newcomer Falcao and hopes the win is the start of things to come at Old Trafford, adding: "Yes, it's great for him.

"He's been looking for that first goal for a while now and he's it's very, very important for him now. I think not only him but ourselves are on the right road now and the main thing is we're fighting for victories and fighting for points.

"We've got the three points for the day and hopefully we can now move further up the table.''

While De Gea was delighted with the result and praised the United defence, saying: "I think we played a very good game. I think in the first half we had the possession and we scored a goal and I think in the last 10 minutes they pressed a lot and they had many chances, but I saved their chances and I'm happy for that, for the win.

"I think the back four defenders for the team played very well and of course it was a great match a good three points.''

afrodoc2:


Actually what he needs are 2 physical and dynamic players BEHIND HIM in the 4-2-3-1 formation you mentioned. This is because he is too lazy when we do not have the ball and is basically a short one. Also he is not pacy enough to beat markers,he cant shrug off physical challenges.....all meaning he over-depends on the pass since the run or the dribble are both beyond him.

Dadehmola:

The truth is that if we remove his awoof goals and assists, he has been piss-poor for us. Rooney is definitely not the ideal no 10 but atleast, e get work rate and e dey score. I'd rather have the rubbish he serves us over the absolute shyte mata played today!

Dadehmola:

The truth is that if we remove his awoof goals and assists, he has been piss-poor for us. Rooney is definitely not the ideal no 10 but atleast, e get work rate and e dey score. I'd rather have the rubbish he serves us over the absolute shyte mata played today!

codedguy1:
So in essence, we need two strong players playing behind both of them for them to thrive effectively.

JayKayMaybachz:
. Thank you jarte... Abe pm me wen tym reach

coogar:


even if you put toure, cattermole & vidal behind rooney, he would still drop deep. he doesn't understand tactics & his short passing around the edge of the box is highly flawed. rooney depends on the long ball to thrive......

so if arsenal lose today, we would be above them? winning is the name of the game in this league. am i seeing right or am i missing something? elfenomeno go hear am today if they lose.

codedguy1:

We are lacking something very important in both Rooney and Mata that should make both of them ideal for that position.

As Afrodoc said we need two strong players behind mata to get the best of him an Rooney should also play more upfront his falling back unnecessary robs us of the threat he should be staying up front.

So in essence, we need two strong players playing behind both of them for them to thrive effectively.

That's my take, anyways.

codedguy1:

Atleast he scores!

My main grouse with Rooney is that he thinks he has all the energy in the world to be everywhere, hence his positional indiscipline and when he does that when he falls back he starts pinging unnecessary balls to left and right that don't make sence wnen he be upfront causing problems for the opponents.

Rooney with all his shortcomings will score if he stays upfront. Am just irritated when I see him fall back and starts pinging useless balls that don't make sense.

I will give him the benefit of doubt to perform if we have strong players behind him like yaya and fernandinho. Right he just uses his energy to pass hollywood passes.

StarBoard:

Mata didn't have the best of games but he did claim a perfect assist. He wasnt spectacular.
I think him being deployed in a 4-2-3-1 and partnered with two other pacy players behind the main striker will being out the best in him akin to how he was deployed in the Benitez and AVB eras.
Problem is thst its not likely to happen with LvG.

Dadehmola:


Even if we play 10 strong players behind them, it won't improve rooney's poor 1st touch and lack of intelligence to unlock defences with through passes, coupled with Mata's inability to orchestrate things by holding on to the ball at key moments.

I just hope di Maria's superb form continues, else we are in trouble.

coogar:


who doesn't score? mata has more min/goal than him from the same position.



if he stays upfront, he's a good finisher. we don't need to overflog that. if he stays at the edge of the box, goals would be scored.....but he doesn't have the guile to play short passes in a crowded box.....this is why he drops deep and make passes from 70 yards.



it's a good problem to have....if any of them gets injured or suspended, there is a capable replacement. van persie was poor today by the way. wrong technique about 3 times he had the ball in the box.



we can play football without gorillas in the squad. there was a time carrick & cleverley were beating up toure, barry & milner in the midfield. if the passes are on point & the strikers have their scoring boots, there should be no need for gorillas in the team.

van gaal has completely revolutionised our football. only a hater wouldn't see this and even before today's result.....he had more points from 6 league games than moyes did. we play better football, the forward passes are endless & we are creating loads of chances.

2 more defenders, 1 world class midfielder and we would soon win the EPL.

codedguy1:
This useless Arsenal team should better make sure they draw this game.

Tottenham is doing the business against southampton.

It will be a good day for our win and make the table a little more interesting!

rozzay:

Awwwwwww GGMU, thank u dear, we r proudly United.

MrTA:
Jeez, Granted they are the strongest team in the league but Chelsea are just awful to watch. Pretty much parking the bus at home.

spanzed:
Lol rozzay when u start dey support womanunited...na when una win u go show face

rozzay:

I no be man na my dear, but ayam a united fan for life o

MrTA:
I dont think we're ready to face the elephant in the room regarding our squad yet but maybe by the end of the season. A frank discussion will be had about it. For now. onwards and upwards.

spanzed:
congrats on todays victory!!!do u watch nall like dis abi u be supporter by mouth

SIRcumalot:


We are only a few Defenders away from being contenders again.
I must confess Have been cursing De gea for awhile what a way to shut me up.

coogar:


he's messed that chance up when he went apeshït in the last olympics. he made a big mistake & he wouldn't accept it. he cursed his manager, cursed his teammates and the team doctor.

what!!! ...y d curse?

vosquare:
rafael deserves brazil call up....he x beta dan alves and maicon

cdamsel:
I don chop finish better run come o before my boys come down am after d match

vosquare:

what!!! ...y d curse?

coogar:


so you have not noticed carrick hides from blocking a shot? he takes 2 steps backwards & lunge at the direction where he knows the ball won't hit him.

he's a pùssy when it comes to putting a block on a potential shot on target.

StarBoard:

I think youre going in hard on Carrick and to me there's no need for that.
Carrick has been instrumental in our recent success. We started winning league titles and getting far in Eurooe with him in our midfield. you once praised him for being intelligent enough to not be throwing himself into tackles like other midfielders. it's actually strange that you eoukd criticize him that way.

Let's talk selection/tactics.
With the way Valencia went about his midfield duty today, it would appear as if injured Herrera might not get back into the starting side if Valencia replicates this performance. how would you go about selection snd formation sfter seeing his performance today?
by the way Valencia iş still a donkey despite his good performance today.His needless tackle on Lukaku led to Everton's equalizer even if his departure led to a huge hole in our middle.