Manchester United take on Everton tonight in the last of the weekend’s opening games to get underway.
All eyes will be on Manchester United’s new frontline of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie at Goodison Park tonight, but it is at the back where the game could be won and lost.
Everton is never an easy place to go for opposing teams, and news of Rio Ferdinand’s injury has come at a most ill-opportune time.
United already have Jones, Evans, and Smalling out with injury, leaving Nemanja Vidic as their only recognised senior defender. It means Michael Carrick is likely to be deployed at centre-back.
If ever a team was set up to expose such a weakness then it was Everton. The Toffees have regularly deployed Marouane Fellaini as a striker and don’t be surprised to see him getting as far forward as possible.
Carrick has performed steadily at centre-back for United when he has played there in the past, but was exposed badly a couple of seasons back when United lost 3-0 at Fulham, with Bobby Zamora’s physical presence causing him several problems.
Fellaini has had success against United in the past, scoring in a 3-3 draw at Goodison two years ago, and in the costly 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
The Ferdinand injury really is a gamechanger, as it also takes Carrick out of the centre of midfield, meaning Fellaini can get more of a grip of the game there, as well as pushing forward to support Nikica Jelavic. It is set up nicely for Everton, if they can just take advantage.
A fresh Paul Scholes and in-form Tom Cleverley will attempt to dictate the pace of the game in the centre from United’s point of view, but they are unlikely to get the time on the ball they would like at Goodison.
Another potential cautionary note for United is how David de Gea will fare in goal. He will be determined to start this season as he finished last, not as he begun it, and any concerns over how he has adapted to the physical nature of the Premier League will be well and truly tested tonight.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter, with Everton looking to finally get off to a positive start after struggling in recent seasons, and Wayne Rooney once more heading back to his former club.
But while all eyes will be on a Dutchman in red, it could well be a Belgian in blue who is the decisive factor.
What are your predictions for tonight’s match?
image: © nicksarebi
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