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Manchester United tackle Everton this Saturday lunchtime, seeking to bounce again from two consecutive Premier League defeats in opposition to Fulham and Manchester Metropolis.
The Pink Devils get pleasure from a robust report in opposition to the Toffees as they’re unbeaten in 11 years in opposition to the facet at Outdated Trafford.
Either side are determined for the win as United purpose to hold onto the coat tails of Aston Villa and Tottenham for the Champions League spots and Everton purpose to beat the drop.
Managed by Sean Dyche, Everton will strategy the sport in a traditional 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation and sit in deep, seeking to damage Erik ten Hag’s facet on the break.
Anticipate United to have loads of the ball however the large query is whether or not they can break down a well-organised facet and getting an early purpose can be important. Listed here are some battles that the Mancunian facet might want to come out on prime of if they’re to get the three factors.
Match Everton’s midfield legs
The United midfield has been poor all season and gamers corresponding to Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have regarded nicely off the tempo of the Premier League. If United’s Brazilian midfielder is left alone in opposition to the facility of Amadou Onana, James Garner or Abdoulaye Doucouré, the Pink Devils can be in hassle.
Kobbie Mainoo is a should, as he usually is today, to supply assist to Casemiro.
Sofyan Amrabat had a disastrous cameo in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final Sunday, gifting Erling Haaland a late purpose, nonetheless he’ll run and run for the group. Subsequently, he might be an choice to match Dyche’s midfield vitality.
Don’t depart huge area between the midfield and defence
Sadly, most United followers can in all probability predict what would possibly occur this lunchtime. The Pink Devils may have 65% plus of the ball, fail to attain and Everton will launch a Dyche-ball speedy counter that catches out United’s sleeping defence.
One approach to keep away from that is to be on guard in opposition to Everton’s quick breaks. It’s clear what they may do. As soon as recovering the ball, it would exit to Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison on the wings and they’ll launch a speedy counter.
It’s a intelligent technique on an open Outdated Trafford pitch, the place the house group have been caught out time and time once more in transition.
Ten Hag’s males might want to discover a stability between committing gamers ahead in the hunt for targets and sustaining self-discipline to not be undone on the break.
Exploit Ashley Younger’s lack of tempo with Alejandro Garnacho
United ought to purpose to benefit from the tempo mismatch that can be on present if Ashley Younger strains up at proper again for the Toffees.
Younger was servant for the membership, enjoying 261 instances and can little doubt have a heat welcome as per normal.
Nevertheless, he’s 38 years previous and Garnacho is electrical when in full flight.
The ball should exit to the younger Argentine early and recurrently to check the veteran proper again and hopefully give United some early possibilities to punish the Liverpudlian facet.
