Everton boss Dyche responds when asked if he has a plan to stop Marcus Rashford

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Everton manager Sean Dyche insists he will not focus specifically on stopping Marcus Rashford during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. 

The England international took his tally to 28 for the season during the 1-0 midweek victory over Brentford, dispatching a ruthless, confident finish into the roof of David Raya’s net following a clever Marcel Sabitzer knockdown.

You may be forgiven, then, for assuming that Dyche has spent every waking hour devising some ingenious plan to keep Manchester United’s number ten on the periphery this weekend.

That is not the case, however. Everton, Dyche says, will not exert all their efforts in stopping one player when Erik ten Hag also has Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Antony and a potentially-returning Anthony Martial at his disposal. 

Can Everton keep Marcus Rashford quiet at Old Trafford?

“We had the same in the build up to the Tottenham game with Harry Kane,” Dyche says in his pre-game press conference, referencing Monday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Spurs at a pulsating Goodison Park.

“It’s not about one player. (Rashford) is a very good player, of course. I know that and so does everyone.

“But they have got a number of very good players. So, its about our team ethic and our belief in what we do.”

Brentford became the latest team to try and fail to storm the Old Trafford ‘fortress’ in midweek; Ten Hag pulling up the drawbridge with a performance far more controlled and composed than in recent defeats to Liverpool and Newcastle.

Manchester United have now won 22 out of 27 home games in all competitions under the former Ajax boss. In fact, their last Old Trafford defeat came all the way back in September; that baffling Lisandro Martinez penalty call gifting Real Sociedad a 1-0 Europa League victory.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Dyche adds. “Over the years, the club has been very used to playing lots of games in seasons. As ever, my focus remains on us, on our build-up and our prep.

“There are some very difficult places to go, and Old Trafford is one of them.”

Everton have been much improved since Dyche replaced Frank Lampard two months ago. The ex-Burnley coach has lost only three out of nine Premier League games in charge of the Toffees.