Manchester United's defensive susceptibility to direct pace has been pinpointed as a key weakness ahead of their Premier League trip to Everton this Sunday. The analysis comes as Erik ten Hag's side look to improve on their current league standing of 12th, having taken three points from their opening two matches.
United began the season with a disappointing away loss to newly promoted Hull City, a result contributor Dylan Penketh attributed to player mentality. "A lot of this was down to mentality," Penketh said. "It felt as if the United players went into the Hull game not assuming they were going to win, but assuming they were the better side." The team bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, where captain Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick.
What is Everton's threat to Manchester United?
Everton will host United at Goodison Park, a ground where they lost 1-0 to the Reds last season thanks to a goal from Benjamin Sesko. For this match, Toffees manager David Moyes has a near fully-fit squad, with only Christian Norgaard likely unavailable. The opposition view suggests Everton winger Brennan Johnson, who likes to stay high and wide to run in behind defenders, could exploit a vulnerability shown by United left-back Luke Shaw against Ipswich. Forward Matheus Cunha may also look to drop deep if physically matched by Everton's centre-backs.
How can Manchester United control the game?
Midfield control will be vital for United at Goodison. Kobbie Mainoo, who started in the win over Ipswich, is seen as essential to United's ball dominance. "Kobbie Mainoo. The guy runs games in a very non-descriptive fashion, always helping United maintain possession and dominate on the ball," Penketh noted. Alongside him, the experience of Bruno Fernandes will be key to unlocking a stubborn Everton defence. The team's overall form shows they have scored five goals but conceded four already this season, resulting in a +1 goal difference.
What are Manchester United's current squad issues?
United head into the fixture with several players currently sidelined, including Amad Diallo, Carlos Baleba, and Manuel Ugarte. This places importance on the fitness and form of available players like Diogo Dalot, who boasts an impressive personal record of not losing in his last 17 starts for the club, winning 14 of those. In the longer term, the club is expected to seek new centre-backs within the next year, with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite a player reportedly valued by United's technical director Jason Wilcox.
What is the context of Manchester United's season?
After a solid end to the 2024/25 campaign, United's early season has been mixed. They conceded four goals across two games against newly promoted sides, highlighting a defensive inconsistency that needs addressing. The challenge doesn't get easier after Everton, as United's next fixture is a huge home clash against league leaders Manchester City on September 13. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming challenges on the standings and fixtures pages. The club currently finds itself six points behind Manchester City in the early title race.
