For the first time in the Premier Legue this season, Manchester United was without star forward Romelu Lukaku is its starting lineup. Playing host to Everton following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge in the previous game, Jose Mourinho's side lined up with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata leading the front line.
In recent weeks, Romelu Lukaku has come under immense criticism for his inefficiency in attack mostly dominated by missing big goal scoring opportunities. The ex-Chelsea and Everton striker has failed to score in eight games in succession for United, with his last goal coming in the 2-1 away win at Watford on September 15.
Against his former club, Lukaku was giving a run-out by coming in as a replacement for Marcus Rashford in the 65th-minute. Prior to the kick-off of Sunday's encounter, Jose Mourinho revealed that his side's target man was low on confidence and, as a result, may be under pressure to deliver due to his current goal drought.
"The reason is, he is playing lots of matches and lately, not just not scoring goals, but also not showing lots of confidence," the Portuguese manager declared.
"Sometimes we decide that the best thing for the players is to not be on the pitch, to be protected and away from the initial pressure.
"If he comes into the game later, he will come with a positive feeling of trying to make a difference and be back to normality because normally with Romelu, he scores lots of goals.
"So I think he is under pressure a little bit because he is not doing that."
Prior to Lukaku's introduction in the second half, goals by Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial ensured that the host did not have to do much to secure all the three points. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the consolation for the Toffees from the penalty spot following a late tackle on Richarlison by Chris Smalling.
