Benjamin Sisco and Ceni Lammens give Manchester United real hope of returning to the Champions League

If Sisco broke Everton hearts at one end of the pitch, another summer arrival, Ceni Lammens, did so at the other.

The Belgian goalkeeper parried a powerful shot from Michael Keane, which Moyes felt certain he would take, and then dealt superbly with a series of corner kicks that fell under the crossbar as Everton literally tried to force an equaliser.

Moyes’ reaction was frank: “The team’s goalkeeper was fantastic tonight.”

“The save Michael made, the way he took the corner kicks, the pressure we were under. For me, the team’s goalkeeper was the best player.”

Carrick is the one who is benefiting, just as he is benefiting from United’s recruitment department’s decision to block Amorim’s calls to bring in Emi Martinez from Aston Villa on summer transfer deadline day, instead putting their trust in a relatively young £18.1m goalkeeper with just one full season of football in Belgium behind him.

Lammence is 23 years old, Cisco is 22 years old. United may not win trophies with kids, but they have a young generation that is starting to flourish.

It was brought to Carrick’s attention after the Everton game that his former United team-mate and great goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was analyzing the match on TV with Carragher.

Carrick has skillfully navigated the question of whether there are comparisons between the two men.

“I have to be careful what I say,” he said.

“I don’t want to compare them because I don’t think that’s fair to Ceni. But there are definitely similarities.

“You want a goalkeeper to be reliable and trustworthy. Instead of creating chaos, you want him to clear up the chaos and calm things down. I think Ceni is like that.

“He’s very quiet at times and humble, but he has a real strength. It’s a big role for some, and it’s about being comfortable in your environment.”

“Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it doesn’t, but he has this calm and composure. He helps those in front of him a lot.”

At the start of the season, United’s stated aim was to return to Europe.

Even internally, it was felt that reaching the Europa League was the more realistic goal, and financial estimates were built around that.

However, in the wake of Amorim’s exit, director of football Jason Wilcox spoke to the players about reaching the Champions League.

The difference in status and financing is significant.

United have now gone 10 consecutive Premier League games unbeaten for the first time in 14 games between January and May 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

From their current position, with no European distractions, something Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool all have, it will be a huge disappointment if United cannot secure a return to the top of the European football table.

Carragher said: “Manchester United is now effectively guaranteed a Champions League qualification spot.” “I can’t see them not doing that.”