There has been plenty to like about Merlin Rohl at right-back for Everton this season, but Marcus Rashford gave him a bit of an education on Sunday.
David Moyes kept faith with the German against Manchester United despite the Deadline Day arrival of Ainsley Maitland-Niles. It was another sign that this isn’t necessarily a case of Röhl simply filling in until somebody else comes along.
Rashford, though, was a different proposition.
A tough afternoon for Röhl
United had plenty of joy down their left at the Hill Dickinson, with Rashford and Luke Shaw repeatedly finding space behind Röhl. Rashford created a good opening for Matheus Cunha from that side, while Shaw was another constant problem.
It wasn’t Rohl’s best afternoon defensively, but perhaps that’s no great surprise. He’s 24, he’s still learning the position and Rashford was voted United’s player of the match after causing Everton problems before going off after 70 minutes.
There were reminders of what Röhl can offer too. His excellent first-half cross gave Thierno Barry one of Everton’s best chances, only for the striker to head over.
The Guardian reported after the game that Rohl is considered a potential long-term answer to Everton’s troublesome right-back position. Nothing that happened on Sunday should really change that.
If anything, this was always going to be part of the process. Rohl has the physical attributes and enough about his game to become a very good full-back, but he isn’t one yet.
Rashford helped prove that.
And you suspect Rohl will be better for the experience.
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