Manchester United had the chance to move fourth in the Premier League by beating visitors Everton on November 24.
The hosts’ five-match winning home run suggested they were finally on the right track under Ruben Amorim more than a year after the Portuguese arrived.
Everton did not prove straightforward opposition, however.
The Toffees started in 13th and knew victory would send them above arch-rivals Liverpool, who are 11th.
