Manchester United vs Everton: A tactical analysis

Manchester United prevailed over Everton with much conviction as they went 12 points ahead of defending champions Manchester City. The good news for Sir Alex Ferguson will be the fact that his side kept a well deserved clean sheet ahead of an electric encounter against Real Madrid in midweek.

Here is a tactical look at the goals scored and a few chances that could have been potential goals.

Robin Van Persie chance on 10 minutes

In the above snapshot, we find the reason behind Everton’s 3-3 draw at the hands of Aston Villa. Here, Robin Van Persie has found a yard of space between the two Everton center-backs. This type of schoolboy marking helps Wayne Rooney easily find an exquisite pass between Leighton Baines and John Heitinga.

Below, not only have the Everton defenders been taken out by that single play, but the goalkeeper too has found himself in a tangle by the sheer quality of the flying Dutchman. Tim Howard however was bailed out by the post, thus preventing the Merseysiders from going a goal down.

Ryan Giggs goal on 13 minutes

For a change, the United defence showed some signs of keeping the fort together, and above, Valencia brings down the ball for Van Persie by sheer strength. Van Persie in turn, shrugs off the strength of his Dutch teammate John Heitinga, to set up Ryan Giggs who mustered all the composure he required to uphold his record of scoring in every premier league season. It also must be noted that Leon Osman has lost his marker once again and Phil Jagielka is park-strolling backward to his keeper, an aspect that should be seriously dealt with by David Moyes.

Leon Osman chance on 29 minutes

With both the United midfielders focused on Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman was relatively unmarked throughout the match. However, he had such a poor game that probably Everton’s only chance of the first half, fell to him. His stinging strike brought out the best in David De Gea which showed that the away side still had a say in the final score.

Robin Van Persie goal on 45 minutes

The above snapshot shows a classic Manchester United counter attack. Once again, it is evident that Van Persie has found himself between a pair of Everton defenders, which allows Rafael this time to pick out his teammate who is played onside by both fullbacks, Baines and Neville. Once again, for the third time, Leon Osman is found in no-man’s land. For a team craving for European football, this sort of play is unacceptable.

The fact that John Heitinga’s recovery run does not match the pace of Van Persie and the fact that Tim Howard is beaten in the similar fashion, only gives Roberto Mancini 19 reasons why he should have signed the Dutchman in summer. A goal and an assist in the match goes on to sum up the importance of the man in the first team.

Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley chances in the 65th minute

With Michael Carrick making an appearance in the second half, it added the extra pressure required on the opposing side as he made an instant impact by winning a few corners. A series of ricochets saw the ball finally cleared by the Everton defence who were hanging by a thread, determined not to go down further in terms of goals.

The second of the flurry of corners saw Tom Cleverley smash one just outside the penalty area. Paul Scholes in particular would have been proud of that shot as he has been known to score a few goals in the similar fashion.

Ryan Giggs scored his first goal in the Premier League this season, maintaining his impressive record of scoring in every season. However, what Ferguson will be pleased with will be the fact that the 39-year-old played the entire match, weaving some of the magic that he showed as a 16-year-old when he first signed for the club. This performance in particular will motivate Ferguson to consider renewing the Welshman’s contract.