Need for reinforcements shows in Manchester United loss
Everton started well, but didn’t do enough to stop Mourinho’s men from winning comfortably on New Year’s Day. The Blues need new players quickly.
Hurting from a loss against Bournemouth, Everton came into the game against Manchester United with something to prove. The Blues shipped 35 shots in their previous two outings. The fans expected improvement at Goodison Park.
Sam Allardyce made seven changes to the starting XI. Jonjoe Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Idrissa Gueye, James McCarthy, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aaron Lennon came out. Oumar Niasse, Wayne Rooney, Yannick Bolasie, Tom Davies, Nikola Vlasič, Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate came in.
In all fairness, The Blues started well and their first half display was energetic. Rooney had a low shot deflected in the third minute, whilst Niasse almost broke through the Manchester line. Bolasie looked dangerous, skinning Marcos Rojo and Nemanja Matic in the 37th minute. Ultimately though, he played a poor final ball.
Regardless of their good start, and recent defensive form, Everton have great weaknesses at the back, which Jose Mourinho took clear advantage of. The Red Devils introduced Anthony Martial into their attack, and pushed Jesse Lingard forward – to challenge a rigid Everton defence through pace.
With two dodgy fullbacks in Cuco Martina and Mason Holgate, and a fragile central partnership, any quick movement is likely to cause confusion for the Blues. It did, and Manchester United scored twice by challenging a defence that prefers aerial bombardment to one-on-one decision making. Both goals however were great finishes. Jordan Pickford stood no chance.
Everton must be buyers in January
Everton need reinforcements, and practically everyone agrees a striker is a clear priority. Cenk Tosun looks to be the favourite to arrive on Merseyside. However, as noted by Phil Kirkbride in the Liverpool Echo, there is no certainty a deal will be completed. This would be a problem but not season-ending. The Blues could survive with Niasse and Calvert-Lewin up front.
The team needs something new at full-back however. Kenny had a hard afternoon against Bournemouth at right-back, but Holgate fared no better against Lingard and Pogba on Monday. Both goals came from indecision and poor communication on the right flank. Everton need a steady hand.
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Ideally, Allardyce should shop for a left-back to allow Martina, or Kenny to play on the right whilst Seamus Coleman gains fitness. Martina played well on New Year’s day. However, he is too one-footed to play at right-back. Fortunately, there are options available in January. According to ESPN Allardyce is keen to reunite with Patrick Van Aanholt. The Crystal Palace man has made 11 appearances this season.
Long-term, the Blues need a change in their central midfield too. They missed Idrissa Gueye against the Red Devils, and he could have challenged Paul Pogba in the middle. Morgan Schneiderlin looked out of sorts. Tom Davies continues to only offer in flashes.
There’s little point playing a defensive central midfield, especially when the playmakers up top are misfiring so frequently. As Allardyce pointed out on Monday, James McCarthy is playing promisingly, but he cannot be expected to be a creative force to partner Gueye. In short, Everton need to find a new Mikel Arteta to supercharge the first XI.
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What’s your take on Everton’s performance against Manchester United? What do you think The Blues need to do in the January transfer window? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.