There has been classic encounters between Manchester United and Everton down the years but maybe none more so than the thrilling 4-4 draw way back in the 2011-12 season. Everton, then managed by David Moyes, managed to come back from 4-2 down to claim a point and can be argued costing Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the title to rivals Manchester City.
But what happened to the Manchester United players that played in that thriller? Since these two sides are playing each other this weekend, VAVEL look at what happened to the 11 players in the starting XI that day.
Manchester United
David De Gea (Manchester United): 2011-12 was De Gea’s first season in English football after his £17.8 million from Atletico Madrid in the summer. It wasn’t the best of starts to life in England as he came under fire for mainly his lack strength and authority of his area which saw him in and out of the team.
Fast forward three years and the Spaniard has come on leaps and bounds to become, arguably, the best keeper in the league and one of the best young keepers in world football today. De Gea has been United’s top performer all season and produced some world class saves including ones against Everton in United’s 2-1 victory at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
The 24-year-old has been rewarded for his efforts with nominations for both PFA player and young player of the year. However the biggest reward for United fans will be for the shot stopper to sign a new long term deal with rumours of a move to Real Madrid ever increasing.
Patrice Evra (Juventus): Evra was a Manchester United veteran at this point having joined in transfer window back in the 2005-06 season and had established himself as the first choice left-back in the side as well as being a fan favourite.
Evra continued his career at Old Trafford for another two seasons even picking up the arm band as captain for the 2012-13 season. However after eight years, 15 trophies, 379 appearances and 10 goals the 33-year-old’s time in Manchester was up and he moved onto Italian champions Juventus this summer.
Rio Ferdinand (QPR): Ferdinand was coming to the end of his career at this point in time but he still proved to be one of the greatest defenders Manchester United’s illustrious history.
Ferdinand became the most expensive player in British history at the time when Ferguson forked out £30million to Leeds for his services and he pretty much paid that back over his 12 years in Manchester with 455 appearances, eight goals and an impressive 16 trophies in that time.
Ferdinand did move on this to Queens Park Rangers after his contract ran out at United and has only made nine appearances so far, some may argue and say that football is no longer the 36-year-old’s top priority but there is no doubt he will go down in folk law as one greatest English defenders in recent memory.
Jonny Evans (Manchester United): Evans' tale at United is a strange one as he is still considered to not be a first team regular despite being at United for nine years. After loans at Royal Antwerp and Sunderland he began to play the odd game but never really breaking through with him making just his 100th appearance in 11/12 season despite already being there for six years.
The Northern Ireland international has begun to play more frequently but is currently serving a six-match ban for a spitting incident with Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse.
Rafael (Manchester United): One half of the Da Silva twins, in Rafael, that came to Old Trafford back in 2008 looked to have the potential to be the long term replacement to Gary Neville but that no longer seems to be the case.
Rafael, like his teammate Evans, was in and out of team for his few seasons in England but became a revelation in the 2012-13 season where he was arguably one of the best full-backs in the league. His brother Fabio moved on to Cardiff but there was high hopes for the 24-year-old, however a collection of injuries has seen him make 37 appearances in the last two seasons and with rumours of Nathaniel Clyne coming in during the summer it could spell the end for the Brazilian.
Michael Carrick (Manchester United): Carrick was one of the more underrated players in the side after his transfer from Tottenham back in 2006 but began to get the recognition he deserved throughout the 12-13 season where he was arguably the best player in a great side making 36 appearances out of 38 in the league.
Carrick has continued to show his importance despite the injury setbacks that he has suffered this season. Since his return United have looked a lot stronger which just shows the importance of Carrick’s ability.
Nani (Sporting Lisbon, loan from Manchester United): Nani could be considered to be one of the most frustrating figures in the eyes of United fans, Nani was considered one of the best young players on the planet at the time of his transfer back in 2007.
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure the weight of expectation on Nani’s shoulders was massive but unfortunately we only saw glimpses of potential. After a 2013-14 season full of injuries and lack of form the winger returned to Sporting Lisbon on loan.
Paul Scholes (retired): One of the biggest moments of the 11-12 season was the return of Scholes to the Manchester United side. Scholes who was part of the infamous Class of '92 was one of the best midfielders to come from these shores, winning nearly every trophy possible and making 676 appearances before his retirement at the end of the 2010-11 season.
However injuries saw him reverse his decision and return in the January of 2012 and was a huge factor in United’s push towards the title that season. He remained for another season before his final retirement with another title under his belt, he was briefly party of staff in Ryan Giggs’ short stint in charge but now can be regularly seen as a pundit across television.
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United): Valencia has had his critics but he has gone on to prove that he is a valuable asset to Louis Van Gaal’s side.
The Ecuadorian had an excellent first season after his move from Wigan but a major injury in the 10-11 season seriously hampered his progress. A great return to form in the 11-12 season saw him awarded the iconic number seven shirt, however he failed to live up the expectations the following season brought his abilities into doubt.
However this season he has proven to be a great asset by slotting into the right-back role with relative ease.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United): The former Evertonian has gone onto to write himself into the United history in his 11 years at the club.
Rooney has proven himself to be one of the best talents to come from England. Rooney has been misused in the last few years frequently playing in the midfield but the captain is now flourishing again upfront.
Danny Welbeck (Arsenal): Welbeck was beloved by all at United having been born and bred in the city. Having come through the youth system straight into the first team, he was player that never really received his fair share of games making just 90 appearances in his six years at the club.
He was also criticised for his lack of goal scoring consistency scoring just 20 throughout his time at Old Trafford, the lack of playing time eventually led to the departure of the 24-year old to rivals Arsenal on deadline day at the beginning of this season and is beginning to show his ability.