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Everton 1-3 Manchester United: 3 things we learnt from Manchester United loss

By Paul Conatzer

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton looks dejected after his team concede during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 07, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton looks dejected after his team concede during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on November 07, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 08: Michael Keane and Mason Holgate of Everton warm up ahead of the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on March 08, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Mason Holgate and Michael Keane looked out of touch.

2. Who should Everton play at central defender?

Everton started the season with some issues at centre back.

They ended the season with Michael Keane and Mason Holgate as the first-choice pairing with Yerry Mina and precocious youngster Jarrad Branthwaite in reserve.

However, injuries to Holgate and Branthwaite forced Everton to make some moves. Ancelotti played left-back Lucas Digne at central back for a few outings. Mostly, it was Mina and Keane in the middle. Everton also brought in 22-year-old Ben Godfrey from Norwich.

Holgate made his first start against United as he returned from injury and slotted alongside Keane.

However, it looked like Holgate and Keane were social distancing as United players were able to get consistently free. Keane and Mina had been the first choice pairing for the first seven league games of the season.  The fact Ancelotti would start Holgate as soon as he could indicate Ancelotti was looking to a better pairing in central defence.

The Merseysiders have had issues with defence for much of the early season, with only one clean sheet this season.

Ancelotti recognised his back four was having an issue, as he told the BBC

"We have to stabilise the defence, this is for sure, but it is not a problem individually – it is collective work and this is absolutely normal. It is fortunate that there is an international break This was a really difficult, bad period for us and I hope that is finished. I hope we can come back from the international break in the way we started this season."

So far this season, Everton has allowed 14 goals, only three teams in the league have leaked more.

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