Bruno Fernandes revealed he handed over penalty-taking duties against Everton to Marcus Rashford to try and restore some confidence to his team-mate.
Manchester United returned to action after the international break with a tricky trip to Goodison Park, in Everton's first match since being handed a ten-point deduction.
But Erik ten Hag, watching on from the stands due to a touchline ban, saw his side pick up all three points, sent on their way in the opening minutes by a sensational overhead kick from Alejandro Garnacho.
Having ridden their luck, as Everton missed a number of chances, United doubled their lead after the break as Anthony Martial, who went on to score his side's third goal, won a penalty following a VAR review, having initially been booked for diving.
Fernandes is United's usual penalty taker, but he handed the ball to Rashford and the forward made no mistake as he fired the spot-kick perfectly into the top corner.
It was Rashford's first goal for United since September 3, and Fernandes was asked after the match about his decision to step aside.
"I felt Marcus needed a little bit of confidence," Fernandes told Sky Sports.
"He needs his goal. Marcus is an excellent penalty taker too, I was 100% sure he could score that penalty. It's not about who takes it, it's about scoring the penalty and Marcus did it perfectly."
He added: "I think obviously strikers and wingers need to score goals, it is part of their game. Marcus was unstoppable and he could take on everybody.
"Marcus last season was amazing so expectations have been higher and it is just about getting those goals back."
