Everton vs Manchester United: 3 Key Battles
Manchester United travel to Merseyside on Sunday to take on an Everton side brimming with confidence and looking to end the season on a high. A defeat to Everton last year was the straw that broke the camel’s back for David Moyes. Although a similar result won’t prove as disastrous for Louis Van Gaal, a win is what he will be looking for in a bid to close the gap to Arsenal, who face Chelsea later in the day.
Both sides have only lost one of their last six league games and come into this fixture in good form. Although both have injuries to contend with, the Red Devils are the ones with the more grueling list. While Daley Blind might be fit enough to play some part against the Toffees, United will still be without Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones. Although Jonny Evans is back from suspension, Paddy McNair’s impressive performance against Chelsea is likely to keep the Irishman out of the side.
Here are the three key battles that will decide the outcome of the game.
1. Ashley Young vs Seamus Coleman
If you had told any United supporter that Young be playing ahead of Angel Di Maria based on his form, many would have laughed off your suggestions. Yet, United go into the game against the Toffees with the Englishman as one of the main attacking threats, down the left flank. While he has always been a good crosser of the ball, the winger’s tactical discipline and awareness of what is around him has helped him jump to the top of Van Gaal’s team sheets.
The man tasked with the responsibility of keeping Young quiet will be Coleman. Last season, the Irish fullback was one of the best in the league in striking the perfect balance between going forward and joining in the attack and staying back and helping out defensively. It hasn’t been as easy this season and the right back has dipped defensively. And when you aren’t at your best positionally, the last person you would want as a full back is a tricky winger who wants to beat you at every opportunity. While he will have the help of Aaron Lennon, the presence of Luke Shaw will keep him occupied and might leave Coleman alone to deal with Young. A prospect he is unlikely to be looking forward to given the current form of both players.