Chicharito came to United's rescue - not for the first time - on Saturday, but the 1-0 win was down not just to one player, but all eleven. The early attacking flair dissipated, but was balanced by some heroic defending and goalkeeping. And it was the result, not the performance, that helped steady the ship... 

Considering much of the build-up to Man United’s game against Everton was about responding to the Manchester City defeat, the match itself proved something of a damp squib. However - as Roberto Mancini simplistically pointed out last week - you get three points for a win regardless of how many goals you score, so for The Red Devils to walk away from Merseyside with maximum points was all that was required after their Derby Day failure.

Credit for that has to go to Everton, who gave a typically feisty performance. In fact, had they had a decent striker they may have got something out of the game. Those who bet on the Premier League Champions to win were subjected to plenty of nervy moments. It was the Toffees huffed and puffed, but never really tested David De Gea, who fielded a number of shots, all were straight at him. Everton fans left Goodison Park feeling aggrieved. 

United though arrived determined to grind out a result in what was their first live football in the Premier League since the Man City debacle. Criticised for perhaps being too adventurous in the final flings of last week’s game - allowing City to hit three goals in the dying embers - they lined up on Saturday determined not to concede. The presence of Nemanja Vidic certainly helped, his steadying influence helping Jonny Evans alongside him. 

Wayne Rooney was played remarkably deep, as was Darren Fletcher, while the ever reliable and industrious Ji-Sung Park symbolised Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire to grind out a win in any way possible. And when you have a striker like Javier Hernandez you can do that. It seems fitting that on the same weekend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led Molde to the Norwegian title, his natural successor in the United line-up pinched a winner in a style befitting of the legend. 

The Mexican did just enough to evade two Everton players at the far post to convert Patrice Evra’s cross from close range and calm United nerves. Their best spell of the game followed, where at one stage they threatened to pass Everton to death. But as the Toffees battled back into things United seemed to content to hold them at arm’s length. The result was unconvincing but acceptable, and after the City disaster it was imperative the players bounced back.