Why Man United’s defensive general will be vital in stifling Lukaku

Manchester United’s defence has been anything but solid under David Moyes so far this season. The 17 goals they have conceded so far (an average of 1.3 per game) is the second-highest tally of the teams ranked in the league’s top ten. Furthermore, the Red Devils have conceded at least seven goals more than the four other teams that won the title across Europe’s other top leagues last season–the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

They have also made the most defensive actions in the league (792), showing just how busy they have been at the back. Such a woeful defensive record has cost them points in what was been a bumpy start to Moyes’ tenure at the club. With two consecutive home games coming up, however, he has the chance to win some back. But doing so against former club Everton, for starters, won’t be straightforward.

The Toffees have proven hard to beat, failing to claim at least a point from a game on only one occasion so far. Interestingly enough, that loss occurred in Manchester–but on the blue half. Manchester City ended Everton’s six-game unbeaten streak that day after coming from behind to win 3-1. Coincidentally, Everton are again on a six-game unbeaten streak as they return to Manchester this Wednesday.

Ranked as the league’s third-best performing team with a Performance Score of 3,727 points, including the second-highest Attack Score (1,949 points), Roberto Martinez’s men will no doubt pose a significant threat at Old Trafford. One of those threats come in the form of striker Romelu Lukaku.

The young Belgian has picked up where he left off last season at West Bromwich Albion, scoring eight goals already this season in 11 appearances, which is the league’s third-highest tally. A strong, mobile, energetic striker, one very capable of leading the line on his own, he will prove a real handful for United’s central defence. It means, then, that captain Nemanja Vidic will need to be at his very best to stop him from beating David De Gea in goal.

The Serb has had a good start to his season in spite of the circumstances, which should come as a relief for Moyes, considering that he is the only United defender strong enough to handle Lukaku. He will no doubt fancy his chances over the striker in the air, considering Lukaku isn’t strong in this department when up against opponents, which is rather surprising given his physique. He won just 42% of his headed duels last season and an even lower proportion of just 34% so far this season. Vidic, meanwhile, won 67% of his last season and an even better proportion of 74% so far this season.

Should he mark the striker properly, then–an area of his game that can be problematic at times–he should have no problem dealing with the crosses and goal kicks aimed toward him. He would also have no worries keeping him quiet at set pieces. Lukaku showed in the Merseyside derby that once left alone at set pieces, he can cause problems.

He has the beating of Vidic as far as pace is concerned, but Vidic is sound positionally, a good reader of the game. It’s fitting, then, that he has made more interceptions (16) than successful tackles (11) so far. He usually stays on his feet for as long as he can, only going to ground out of necessity. Given Everton like to pass the ball along the ground, he should be ready for when the likes of Kevin Mirallas, Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley, and Steven Pienaar look to play the killer pass in Lukaku’s direction. And even when the striker breaks through on goal, Vidic should be on hand to clear the danger, just like he has on 100 occasions already this season–the most of any United player.

He has made the most defensive actions for his team (118), showing that he is really a leader at the back, and is always willing to put in a committed performance. That’s great, because United will certainly need a committed performance–a captain’s leading performance–from him if Everton are to leave Manchester empty-handed again.