5 reasons why Manchester United should fear Everton this weekend

Manchester United have often struggled to obtain desired results at Goodison Park in the pastThree-points don’t come easy anymore in the Premier League! Fresh from a drubbing at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates, things won’t be getting any easier for Louis van Gaal’s Red Army as they prepare for another tough outing at Goodison Park. Having lost just one game so far, Everton have given early signs of having added a bit more pragmatism to their game this season.Roberto Martinez’s current Everton squad has surely seen out the tough transition phase as they finally have an assured defensive unit to go hand in hand with what is already an immensely creative attacking lineup. The current state of the Premier League table suggests every team – even Sunderland and Newcastle – can go out and pull off an unlikely win on any given night. Although here’s especially why, Manchester United should really be worried about facing the Merseyside Blues this weekend.

#1 Recent Record

Everton have dominated the Red Devils on home turf

Here are some interesting stats that must have featured in Louis van Gaal’s preparatory notes ahead of the game this weekend:

1. Everton have beaten the last three Manchester United managers – Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal – in a row at Goodison Park.

2. In those 3 consecutive wins, Everton have not conceded a single goal.

3. Everton won the three games with an average of 40 percent possession.

What these stats tell you is – Everton don’t need the ball to beat Manchester United. They certainly will not be intimidated by Manchester United. All in all, Everton feel invincible when they play Manchester United on their home turf.

#2 Pace & Power Mismatch

The Everton midfield of Barkley, Barry and McCarthy looks formidable coming into the match

It is rather fair to say that Manchester United’s title aspirations suffered a reality check when Arsenal blitzed past them to score thrice in the first quarter of the game a couple of weeks ago. And in no time the United manager was out in the press conference acknowledging the defeat as his most disappointing performance of his tenure at the club.

Probably, the only other time in the past two seasons when the Reds were outclassed, out-footballed, in such a humiliating fashion was when Everton wrapped up a 3-0 win of their own, at home earlier this year. A combination of power and pace on the break was too much to handle for Daley Blind on the night and he could brace for an equally demanding 90 minutes on the pitch this weekend.

Everton, who will be playing with the same midfield core of James McCarthy, Gareth Barry and Ross Barkley, could give LvG plenty to think about given he is still not quite sure about his best midfield pairing. Aggressive pressing without sensible purpose in the middle of the park was the reason why Arsenal found enough space to counter in the early stages of the game and it will be interesting to see whether the Dutchman would stick to his philosophy this time around.

#3 Ross Barkley: The Wayne Rooney of old

Ross Barkley has been in tremendous form for club and country

Whether it’s the fearless dribbling past a couple of defenders or smashing one in the top corner – Barkley will certainly come closest among the current crop of English youngsters to being compared with a young Wayne Rooney. While Rooney, lapping up all the honors in his first few seasons at Goodison, needed little time to earn a move to Manchester United, Barkley continues on his path marred by bizarre injuries and plenty of months on the sidelines.

Hence, it is understandable when Martinez was delighted to see a fit and in-form Barkley finally delivering the goods on a regular basis for the side. He has so far played a part in 5 of the 12 goals scored by Toffees this season and has been crucial to Romelu Lukaku finding his form early into the season.

Meanwhile, Rooney should be considered rather lucky to have been still able to start for Manchester United after what has been a terrible start by his own lofty standards. His touches have been too heavy, has lost a yard or two of pace and suddenly his work rate isn’t worthy enough to guarantee a place in the starting lineup. In fact, the only goal he has scored in this campaign so far has been a forgettable knock off his knee.

The match could well be decided by a moment of magic by one of the two Evertonians. My bet, on current form, has to be on the 21-year-old in the blue jersey.

#4 \'Form\' Factor

Everton have made a solid start to the season

Apart from losing against a Manchester City side that played almost flawlessly for the best part of 90 minutes, Everton have done very little to attract criticism of any kind this season. Their football has been positive going forward yet responsible at the back. Martinez has always found answers in the tactical area, which was there for everyone to see at the Hawthorns when his team came from behind to win 3-2.

Unbeaten in the last 5 Premier League games, with wins over Chelsea and solid performances against Spurs and Swansea away from home, the Toffees have been ‘tough to beat’ so far.

Manchester United and Louis van Gaal, who have found it increasingly difficult to break down defences with their patient brand of football, will have to capitalize almost on every chance they create if they are to claim the three points that keeps them close to their rivals at the top of the table.

#5 Romelu Lukaku vs Daley Blind

Daley Blind has his work cut out playing against the physically superior and in-form Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian forward with his ‘If I get the ball and start running, you’ll be on the floor’ warning to the defenders has already created headlines this season. And he does back it up with goals, you know? With five past the opposition so far this season, Lukaku has been terrorizing defensive units that don’t quite fancy the idea of facing a 6 feet-something target man.

Van Gaal, with a never-ending list of injuries to his defenders, will again need to chop and change the back-four. Although, his main concern should be how Daley Blind, who is still adapting as a central defender this season, can possibly manage to keep the Belgian international from causing any damage on the night. Doubts were raised when the Dutchman faced Christian Benteke last month, but he responded with a Man of the Match performance.

The winner of this contest may well end up claiming all 3 points for his side.