David Moyes sends message to Thomas Tuchel over former Man Utd star who cost just £9million

David Moyes hailed the performance of James Garner in Everton’s shock 1-0 win over Manchester United last night and tipped the midfielder to make a late push for Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.

The Toffees recorded a rare win at Old Trafford thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half goal which came just 16 minutes after Idrissa Gueye’s bizarre sending off.

United came close to an equaliser against the 10 men on several occasions during the closing stages and, ultimately, Everton were indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who made a string of fine saves in front of the watching Tuchel.

Moyes, however, was keen to praise the performances of two of his English midfielders with Garner particularly impressive at the heart of his engine room.

The 24-year-old started his career at Old Trafford but was overlooked by a number of of the club’s recent managers and made just two Premier League appearances for his boyhood club.

Loan moves to Watford and Nottingham Forest hinted at his potential but with first team opportunities at United not forthcoming he made a permanent move to the City Ground four years ago before being snapped up by Everton for just £9million 12 months later.

Garner is quickly developing into a key part of Moyes’ rebuild with his reading of the game, polished distribution and combative style neatly complimenting Everton’s more creative players.

‘James Garner is playing really well,’ said Moyes after a win that represented his first as a visiting manager at the Theatre of Dreams.

‘I know Thomas Tuchel was here tonight and I don’t know and I’m sure everyone realises England’s No.1 was playing for Everton.

But the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jimmy Garner are English and are maybe not quite ready yet or maybe (they are).

‘But Thomas has brought up Alex Scott from Bournemouth so that should encourage the likes of Jimmy Garner and KDH that who knows what might happen as the season goes on.’

Moyes, meanwhile, refused to condemn for his dismissal after he squared up to team-mate Michael Keane and slapped the defender as they argued over a mis-placed pass which gave Bruno Fernandes a shooting chance he could not convert.

‘When I saw it I didn’t think there was anything in it,’ Moyes said. ‘I was a bit annoyed they were challenging each other but I was also quite pleased they were fighting each other because it shows me they cared.

‘At Everton we’re trying to demand higher standards. I can’t quite work out if it was Keano’s bad ball or Gana’s bad ball or whatever but if we hadn’t got that fight, that resilience they showed we would never have got through the rest of the game.

‘We came up against an improving Manchester United side, most people were here to watch Manchester United but Everton stood up to what we had to do.”

Moyes said Gueye, 36, had apologised to his team-mates after the game and added: ‘There’s no problem, we move on.’

The midfielder posted on Instagram after the match: ‘I want to apologise first to my team-mate Michael Keane. I want to take full responsibility for my action.

‘I also apologise to my team-mates, the staff, the fans and the club. Emotions can run high but nothing justifies such behaviour.’