The Manchester United captain was sent off last week in the home game against West Ham and his colleagues demonstrated against Everton that his presence is not key for success.
Wayne Rooney's dismissal against West Ham United last week may have put Manchester United at a disadvantage in that game but it has done Louis van Gaal a favour in the long-term. The captain has moved close to 'undroppable' status at Old Trafford and any attempt to dislodge him from the lineup would be more trouble than it's worth.
His suspension, however, meant that Van Gaal must pick a team without him and in doing so create a way of playing that does not serve only to indulge his skipper. Rooney, as one of three up front, is neither clever enough as a creator nor dynamic enough as a striker to deserve that sort of treatment.
It was against Everton that it was proven that United are no worse off for his absence and other players could actually benefit from not having him around. Juan Mata was the man squeezed out when Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria were summoned from Jorge Mendes's portfolio in late summer. Instead of being incompatible with the two, Mata proved against Everton that he possesses the suitability for Van Gaal's team.
He showed some intuitive play with Di Maria, laying on the first United goal for the Argentine, and gave United better shape in midfield. Where Rooney is ostensibly a forward operating deeper, Mata is a more natural fit. He knows when to play the ball simple rather than looking for a through ball too often like Rooney does. He looks like a midfielder in a midfielder's role rather than a striker and does not make United top-heavy.
Falcao, meanwhile, was given plenty of chances on the day even if he could only take one of them. He is still a long way off his world class best but a goal will do his composure good.
The man suffering on the field at the moment, while Rooney broods off it, is Robin van Persie. Goals in recent weeks have ensured he has avoided criticism but this was a performance bereft of his usual positivity. He snatched at the half-chances which came his way and conveyed petulance throughout.
He scuffled with Tim Howard late on and could have been sent off following his earlier altercation with Gareth Barry. Mata proved a better fit in that role ahead of the three midfielders than Rooney and so the England captain might be looking at unseating Van Persie, captain for the day, up front instead.
What is for sure is that Rooney is no longer worthy of being United's go-to man. Angel di Maria looks every inch the most expensive footballer in this league's history against Everton. He is head and shoulders above those already at Old Trafford and he is the one who sets the team in motion time and again. It could be a dribble, a clever pass or a shot, but Di Maria is the one to make things happen - as it proved on Sunday.
His goal, a rasping right-footed drive, was a weapon that many United fans did not know was in his artillery. His contribution for the second was no less impactful, a long-range drive met by the steering foot of Falcao.
When Rooney plays he is seen as top dog - from the terraces to his team-mates - but Di Maria, without him, demonstrated his worth.
Don't think this was a routine win, however. It rarely is these days. United were well on top but looked vulnerable despite Everton missing a penalty. David de Gea's brilliant save did not embolden United, it made them fearful about what Everton might bring in the second half.
Steven Naismith's header had the opposition rocking before Falcao snuffed out the Everton charge. But by the end of the game the fans were not sure whether to sing Di Maria's praises or De Gea's.
The Spaniard made stunning late saves from Leon Osman and Bryan Oviedo to preserve the three points for United. There are ongoing issues with United in defence, from the silly free-kicks being conceded wich cause trouble to an inability to track runners on set-pieces.
Van Gaal assures that the solution will come in its own good time. But immediately clear, beyond anything else, was that United don't rely on Rooney - they don't even miss him when he's not there.
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