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Another poor result for Roberto Martinez, and Everton have problems. But today is all about Manchester United, as Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, and finally David de Gea saw their team earn these three points.
Questions still remain about how they can survive with this defence against stronger opponents, but feelings are bright around these parts yet again.
It’s the international break next week, but following from that, United travel to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion. Everton continue their rueful search for form by hosting Aston Villa in two weeks.
FINAL SCORE:
Manchester United 2
Everton 1
Manchester United continue their pursuit of English Premier League redemption, as they host Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 10:00pm (AEDT).
The clocks may have been brought an hour forward in some parts of Australia, but over in the red half of Manchester, the only desire is to see the clock turn back time.
Following the fatalistic hopelessness that underpinned the David Moyes era last season, optimism is high that Louis van Gaal will restore Manchester United back to its glory era.
While title talk is misguided, there is the sense that the club’s summer spending spree has been dedicated to capitalise on United’s innate desire to attack.
The additions of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao to a final third ensemble of Rooney, van Persie and Mata has seen United strike 11 goals in their three outings in September.
Talk about defensive frailties may be exaggerated – United have conceded less goals than today’s opponent Everton.
With no European engagements and an early, albeit embarrassing exit from the League Cup, Manchester United have the freedom to approach each game with a fully replenished squad. Such a factor will further cede favouritism to the home side against a team that only days ago had a Europa League commitment in Russia.
A best XI for van Gaal currently relegates Mata to the bench, but the Spaniard is likely to return in a midfield role, with captain Wayne Rooney suspended.
While the defence is undoubtedly United’s weak point – the work of Daley Blind is crucial to asserting the level of control United require to allow their final third specialists to work unfettered of defensive responsibility.
There is no question with how United intend to win games of football this season – goals and lots of them.
In one way. Everton will know what’s coming at them. But for a team that owns the worst defence in the league, that comes as scant consolation.
Despite salvaging a draw in last weekend’s Merseyside derby courtesy of Phil Jagielka’s screamer, Everton will still be aware they have only clocked up one win out of six this season in the Premier League.
While their last visit to Old Trafford brought victory, Everton will be aware that any repeat will have to be done without captain Sylvain Distin, while Kevin Mirallas’ absence seriously dents their ability to threaten United’s rookie defence.
Roberto Martinez will require far more from 28 million pound signing Romelu Lukaku, who has been pedestrian at times since his permanent move to Goodison Park, while the energy of Steven Naismith is essential in exploiting any space left behind by United’s midfield.
At home, Manchester United should prove too strong against a team that has struggled to keep out the goals this season. But Martinez is not one to leave his team playing deep and punting long balls.
Expect a goalfest that affirms that neither team has the defensive wherewithal to withstand each other’s attacking instincts.
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