Everton star James Garner was incredible for the Toffees on Monday night as they beat Manchester United away from home for the first time in almost 12 years.
And now one stat that has emerged around his talents has seen his move become a real snip. Everton won 1-0 against Manchester United in the Premier League, signalling David Moyes’ first away win at Old Trafford in the top-flight in his entire managerial career.
A number of players were on top form against the Red Devils, with Jordan Pickford and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in particular impressing to record a famous victory.
However, James Garner also put in a great display, and one statistic surrounding his performance has shone a bright light on United’s failure to keep hold of the talent.
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
James Garner’s Everton stat speaks volumes after his Old Trafford appearance on Monday
A new statistic, posted by Statman Dave on X (formerly Twitter), has stated that no Manchester United academy graduate has recorded more Premier League assists than Garner this season, despite him playing for Everton.
The only player who could be considered in that conversation is Ayden Heaven, though he was signed by the Red Devils in February 2025 at the age of 18, and whether he can be classed as an academy graduate is somewhat dubious.
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Only Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo have more assists than Garner’s one at Old Trafford, and that’s in the entirety of the Premier League this season.
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Amazingly, with Diallo only recording one of his on home turf and Fernandes having none at Old Trafford, it means Garner is actually joint-top of the assist list at the Theatre of Dreams – despite United having had five more games than the Birkenhead-born star.
That’s evidently to Everton’s advantage, but it paints a poor picture for United.
Manchester United made a real mistake by selling James Garner to Everton
James Garner joined Manchester United in 2009 at the age of just seven, working his way through the youth ranks before loan spells at Championship outfits Watford and Nottingham Forest – the latter with which he won promotion via the play-offs – increased his reputation.
That form in the Championship prompted Everton to make a £15m move for Garner’s services in the summer of 2022, and after just seven appearances for United in all competitions – with just two in the Premier League – he moved down the M62 to Goodison Park.
Everton made history with THAT win at Old Trafford!
Garner’s form has seen him touted for an England call-up, with Thomas Tuchel having a private chat with him after the win over Manchester United – and with United struggling in central midfield at times, he would have been a shoo-in for their squad.
Bruno Fernandes is a mainstay in the team, but Casemiro is ageing, Manuel Ugarte has massively disappointed since his move to England and Kobbie Mainoo simply doesn’t seem to fit in Ruben Amorim’s plans. It may well be that Garner would have been starting for United – but he’s now Everton’s to enjoy.
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