Manchester United’s Monday night fixture against Everton will be a tough tie under the lights, and a game in which United could benefit by adopting a defensive approach.
Now that the November international break has come to a close, all Manchester United fans’ attention will be drawn to the sides’ Monday night Premier League fixture against Everton. David Moyes returns to Old Trafford, looking to get his first victory at the ground as a visiting manager.
The Toffees, in general, have a woeful record against the Red Devils, only managing one win at United in the past 32 years. However, records are there to be broken, and tomorrow is not an easy match for Ruben Amorim’s side.
United will be looking to extend their five-match unbeaten run and pick up a win against a side who have only managed to win once in their last four games. However, Amorim cannot underestimate the Toffees, who sit 13th in the Premier League and have played entertaining football so far this season.
Jack Grealish has been a standout performer under Moyes on his loan from Manchester City and will be relishing the chance to score against United. Everton’s wingers are bound to challenge United’s full-backs, and it could be beneficial for Amorim to alter the team selection in order to deal with this threat.
Should Amorim field a defensive-minded lineup?
Everton’s creativity has been evident with both Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye topping the expected assists charts for the whole of the Premier League. If the Toffees strikers were more clinical in front of goal, they would potentially be challenging European spots and be a much larger threat on paper.
Ruben Amorim would have identified this danger in the two-week preparation the Portuguese coach has had leading up to the game, and there is an argument to be had that fielding a defensive lineup could be a way to nullify Everton’s strengths.
Starting Noussair Mazraoui at wing-back, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte as a midfield duo and shifting Amad into the 10 could be a lineup that prioritises defence down the wings and through the midfield.
Having an experienced, traditional defensive wing-back dealing with Grealish, who is a magnet for fouls whenever he plays, could be a smarter option than playing Amad in the position. Moving the Ivorian further up the pitch allows him to provide pace on the counter, in a role he has hardly played in this campaign.
This may not be the most popular decision among fans, who will want United to try and dominate The Blues at home soil. But the fact that it is a potential banana skin game may sway some supporters who will prioritise a result over performance to keep up momentum leading into the congested Christmas period.
How important is a win for United tomorrow?
Manchester United could move into the European spots with a win against Everton, which would be a huge result with an upcoming run of favourable fixtures leading into December. Facing two teams in the bottom four, Amorim will be hoping his side can thrust itself firmly into the race for top four.
Although United are on a run of games without a defeat, the last two results, both 2-2 draws against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, have sparked doubts in certain parts of the fanbase. Both performances were nothing short of disappointing, and the Red Devils were bailed out in their last fixture by a Mathijs De Ligt equaliser.
With AFCON looming, it will be essential for United to pick up as many points as they can before losing key players in a turbulent time for most Premier League clubs.
David Moyes’ return to Old Trafford will no doubt bring a side that is defensively solid and potentially frustrating to break down, but the overall quality and momentum United possesses coming into this game, I feel, will give them the edge. It is a key game in an important time in the season, and a win would be a statement to other clubs that Amorim’s side is a serious threat at the top of the table.
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