Prince Rupert's Tower
Fansided

Manchester United 3-3 Everton: Three things we learned

By Callum Brannan

Everton's English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 6, 2021. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

Yerry Mina needs to play!

LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Tyler Roberts of Leeds United is tackled by Yerry Mina of Everton during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on February 03, 2021, in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Tyler Roberts of Leeds United is tackled by Yerry Mina of Everton during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on February 03, 2021, in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

This one may be a bit confusing because it wasn’t long ago when Everton fans wanted Yerry Mina to be benched for a centre-back partnership of Keane and Ben Godfrey, but after seeing that partnership today, fans have realised how much Everton miss Mina when he’s not starting.

In an ideal situation, Ancelotti could find a system to play Keane, Mina and Godfrey, but Everton have shown they don’t have the personnel to play a three at the back while also having an attack that can score goals consistently.

Mina has been fantastic for Everton ever since they moved back to the flat-four with Keane and the Colombian forming a devastating partnership.

Still, with Godfrey’s undroppable form, it puts Ancelotti in a difficult decision. Does he play Keane or Mina? Both centre-backs offer great qualities, leading to the two of them rotating depending on the opponent.

For Everton’s next few games, Mina would arguably be the better choice due to his athleticism and ability to perfectly time a tackle. Keane is a better option against a team we can dominate where the Englishman can pick out passes and control the game’s tempo.

With two athletic freaks like Mina and Godfrey together, it makes it very difficult for pacey forwards like Mohammed Salah and Raheem Sterling, because they’re so used to losing full-backs and then flying past centre-backs. Still, they won’t be able to do that, putting the Toffees in a much better position for the bigger games because they won’t be on the ball much.