Manchester United are currently sitting in 10th place in Premier League and their 10th match of the campaign could tell us whether the Devils are finally going to start winning consecutive matches or the recent poor results will be extended to a run of a single victory in eight matches. The opposition is Everton, the scene is Old Trafford and Jose Mourinho and his players must find their ways to seal only the fifth Premier League win in 2018-19.
We wrote yesterday about Everton and their run of three consecutive league wins, but here is now what we would like to see from United against an in-form side.
“Attack, Attack, Attack”
This comment from Paul Pogba was by many looked at as something very negative and inappropriate. Whether that was the case or not is not the point here – the point is that Man United are in serious need of becoming a proactive side, one that will attack from start to end, rather than being a team that will transform into an attacking team only they are trailing by a goal or two.
It was something quite obvious about this last weekend against Chelsea. The Blues were 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge at half-time, but in the second half the Devils were the ones trying to attack, to create chances. That unsettled the hosts and it was no wonder that Man United got their turnaround and held a 2-1 lead all the way until deep into stoppage time.
Manchester United need to that but right from the off. Pressuring Everton straight away and showing a free-flowing performance is something fans at Old Trafford have been missing for a long while.
Rashford As A Centre-Forward
There was one recurring theme in previous weeks – Romelu Lukaku needs rest. Whether his current poor form is the result of the Belgian playing virtually every minute of every match in every competition, it is to be seen, but Big Rom is looking jaded. His movements are far from sharp and he seems to be out of the needed rhythm.
That is why it would be a good idea to deploy Marcus Rashford as a centre-forward. Whether he would be a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1, with Martial on the left and Mata as the number 10, or it would be a 3-5-2 of sorts where Rashford would be Lukaku’s partner is yet to be seen. Maybe Lukaku would do better with a partner, but he could definitely get a bit of a rest. That might be a proper opportunity for Rashford to shine and show similar performance to those when he plays for England.
Pace In Central Midfield
Manchester United are seriously lacking pace in central midfield. Nemanja Matic was never a pacey player and in this Man United team that is defending way too often for no obvious reason, he is exposed even more. Paul Pogba is not a really diligent player defensively and he never seems to be sprinting when that is necessary. Also, Juan Mata is not a player you would describe as fast.
So, why not mix things up a bit? Andreas Pereira could control things with the ball at his feet from central areas against a good Everton team? But then again, for that we would need to see Manchester United ‘attack, attack, attack’.
Man united should give chance to young players like Anreas, Chong and some graduates from the academy. Look at how Arsenal young boys are playing. We had some young defenders, where did they go. Lukaku should rest. His style of play doessnt fit man united. Man united should be regreting selling Jonny Evans.