Manchester United have defeated Everton twice already this season – in the Premier League and the FA Cup – going into Saturday’s clash with the Toffees at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Reds narrowly defeated the Blues – then managed by Frank Lampard – 2-1 at Goodison Park in October, before eliminating the Merseysiders from the FA Cup at Old Trafford in our January meeting.
Across a period spanning seven years, United have recorded a whopping nine victories over the Toffees in all competitions.
Why is this length of time worth honing in on? Well, incredibly, eight of these nine wins have featured a Reds goalscorer whose name begins with the same three letters – Ant.
Read on to find out how this trend came to be and which United players have since added to the remarkable pattern…
ANTHONY MARTIAL
Anthony Martial made his first appearance at Old Trafford since February in Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over Brentford, and could be in from the off against the Toffees on Saturday,
The Frenchman began this trend against the Merseysiders in April 2016, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Blues at Old Trafford.
Martial has made something of a habit of netting against Everton too. His seven goals against the Toffees is more than he’s scored against any other opponent to date, and he could add to that in Saturday’s fixture.
Following that April 2016 match, Martial followed it up with an injury-time winner versus the Blues in the semi-final of the FA Cup later that month.
In addition to these match-clinching goals, Anthony netted against Everton in our September 2017 victory – in which Antonio Valencia also scored – as well as in triumphs in January 2018, October 2018 and December 2020.
ANTONY
Our Brazilian winger wasted no time making the Merseysiders one of his more favourable opponents, scoring in each of the games we have had with them this season.
In October, Antony levelled the proceedings in the first half – in a match that we ultimately went on to win 2-1 – slotting home a left-footed effort past Jordan Pickford. This goal, coincidentally, was set up by a through ball from Martial too.
At the beginning of 2023, in the FA Cup clash with the Toffees at Old Trafford, our no.21 was also on the scoresheet as we dispatched of the Blues 3-1, and will be keen to add to his tally against the Toffees on Saturday.
WILL THE TREND CONTINUE?
Everton are now managed by former Burnley boss Sean Dyche and are facing a battle to avoid relegation.
There is no doubt they will present firm opposition at the Theatre of Dreams in the 12:30 BST kick-off on Saturday, but with Martial returning to fitness and playing alongside Antony and Marcus Rashford for the latter stages of the win over Brentford, Erik ten Hag now has more attacking options at his disposal than earlier in the season.
The Reds are in need of a win to keep up our fight for a top-four place in the Premier League too, and Anthony and Antony could both play key roles in ensuring a positive result at the weekend.