Karoline Olesen believed it would have been a different game had Katja Snoeijs early strike had not been ruled out, as goals from Dominique Janssen and Grace Clinton ensured the Blues would head back to Merseyside pointless.
The Dutch striker thought she had given the visitors the lead inside the opening two minutes, but referee Phoebe Cross spotted a handball during a scramble in the box.
A lengthy injury stoppage for United’s Jayde Riviere slowed the rhythm of the game, and the Toffees strong start was undone when Janssen capitalised on a rare mistake from Courtney Brosnan to stab home on 22 minutes.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Clinton doubled Manchester United’s lead less than 90 seconds into the second half when she converted Leah Galton’s low cross into the bottom corner.
Olesen entered play midway through the second half and looked bright. While disappointed with the result and feeling like it would have been a different story had Snoeijs’ goal stood, the Dane felt there were positives, considering the calibre of the opposition.
“We knew we were going into a game against (Manchester) United, who are strong team,” said Olesen “But we were coming off some good results and we had our hopes up to get points, but we didn’t get them.
“I still think we can take some positives; playing a strong side is always difficult.
“We would have love to have seen [Snoeijs disallowed goal] given, then it is a different game. It’s always hard to be down against a good team as they keep the ball and not try and go for goals.
“I think you could see that, particularly at the end of the first, which meant we couldn’t get many big chances and it is why we lost today.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
“Everyone loves playing these games, I love going against top opponents. That is when you can surprise people and show that you can do it as well.
“We’ve seen that in December when we had a good result against (Manchester) City and hopefully we can do that again.”
With Clare Wheeler the only change from the side that comprehensively beat Crystal Palace last time out, Everton began the game at Leigh Sports Village on the front foot and thought they had taken the lead after two minutes.
A trademark Sara Holmgaard corner caused chaos in the United box, with Justine Vanhavermaet heading it down in to the six-yard area. Martina Fernandez reacted first to fire goalwards only for the ball to strike Snoeijs’ arm before the forward fired past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The Dutch striker had no chance of getting out of the way and, with her arm in a natural position, will have felt harshly done to seeing her effort ruled out.
The Blues continued to press and a brilliant bit of play from Wheeler presented Toni Payne with a chance, which was tipped over by Tullis-Joyce.
Holmgaard’s corners were causing the hosts no end of problems and another delivery was met by Kelly Gago, who did well to return the ball across the face of goal but no one in Blue was there to take advantage.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Barclays Women’s Super League Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
And it was a familiar footballing story when Marc Skinner’s side went ahead through Janssen on 22 minutes. A very unfamiliar error from Brosnan saw her spill the ball which hit hit Martina Fernandez before falling fortuitously to Janssen, who fired home into the empty net.
The Republic of Ireland showed her strength of character to redeem herself on the stroke of half-time, though, producing a quick-fire double save to deny both Celine Bizet and Maya Le Tissier.
Man United doubled their lead almost straight after the restart through Clinton, as the hosts protected their advantage despite a spirited late onslaught from Everton, who were reduced to limited half-chances.
International football now beckons for a host of Toffees, before WSL action resumes on 20 April, when the Blues look to complete a league double over Manchester City for the first time.