EVERTON’S display against Manchester United was proof that there is absolutely no need to hurry into appointing a new manager.

I have been very impressed with Duncan Ferguson and his team for the second week running.

They were simply brilliant against Chelsea last week, in terms of application, work-rate, desire and tackling.

And were exactly the same at Old Trafford yesterday.

It looks like everyone has added ten per cent to their game and they are full of confidence.

I thought Everton were excellent and they deserved at least the point they picked up.

I know Duncan has said he is not looking to get the job permanently — but what he says on television is not necessarily exactly what he might be thinking.

He obviously knows that he can get performances and results out of these players and there is very little chance Everton will be relegated — there is too much ability in the squad for that to happen.

He might even know that a new manager is on the verge of being appointed — and he would be on a sticky wicket if he said in public that he wanted the job.

Duncan’s decision to send on Moise Kean as a substitute and then take him off 19 minutes later was an interesting one.

I heard him say afterwards it was to waste a bit of time, but if that was the case he would have taken someone off who had battled away for 89 minutes and could do with a rest.

I think Duncan asked him to go on and do a specific job and he didn’t do it.

It’s very embarrassing for Kean as I don’t think the reason Duncan gave was the real reason.

I think he wanted to send a message to all his players that if you don’t do as you are asked this is what will happen. As for Manchester United, I saw that they have played 4,000 consecutive games with at least one
academy graduate in the starting line-up.

That is an amazing statistic and there is no doubt that they have plenty of talented youngsters coming through.

It is no surprise that United have been linked with Erling Haaland, the 19-year-old Red Bull Salzberg striker.

I have been really impressed with him in the Champions League this season and watched him closely when he played against Liverpool last week.

I know he did not score but in terms of movement, presence and getting shots away he was very good indeed.

It doesn’t surprise me that huge clubs are in for him, because he has got so much ability.

I know that he is young but every big club will have been watching closely what he can do.

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