Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho praised Ander Herrera’s impact from the bench during Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Everton.

The Red Devils took an early lead at Old Trafford after Antonio Valencia beat Jordan Pickford with a stunning strike from 18 yards.

But United struggled to kill the game off until Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial all bagged goals in the final ten minutes.

By that time, Spanish midfielder Herrera had replaced his compatriot Juan Mata and Mourinho felt United controlled the game after his entrance.

‘There was a moment were I felt we did not kill it so we have to make it solid with Ander Herrera. From that moment we controlled the game,’ Mourinho said.

Ander Herrera made an impact after coming on from the bench (Picture: Getty)

‘The second goal went in, then game over. I think the performance was very good, especially in the first 30-35 minute, it was probably our best performance of the season.

‘We pressed them and they did not have a chance to get out, they did not have a shot, it was very impressive.

‘After that, Everton’s good players came out and showed their qualities. They gave us difficulty but I looked behind me on the bench and saw alternatives.’

The defeat ensures Ronald Koeman’s Everton drop into the relegation zone having lost three consecutive games.

Ronald Koeman’s side have slipped into the drop zone (Picture: Getty)

But despite their difficult run, Mourinho believes Koeman will turn things around at Goodison Park, saying: ‘Everton are going to be fine but they are living a difficult moment.

‘The fixtures they have got, I would not like this all together at the same time. I would like one of the top five, but all of them, that is not fair for them.’

Lukaku was spotted mocking the away fans after providing an assist for Mkhitaryan’s goal but said the gesture was just ‘banter’.

Romelu Lukaku joined United from Everton earlier in the summer (Picture: Getty)

‘It was just a bit of banter, I missed a free-kick and they booed me so I was happy to score,’ the United striker told Sky Sports.

‘It’s just another goal really. I’m really happy with the win so we stay top of the league.’

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