After the mid week showing at the San Siro, we were flying high. It was easy to forget the little task of beating an in form Everton following our first away win there as well as scoring 3 away goals. But it came back to bite us in the behind as a sloppy United team were well beaten by Everton.
A lot was made of the fact United could have been tired having played against AC mid week but Everton too faced Sporting Lisbon on the same day, albeit at home. So I look to another reason, a sloppy defensive display.
This season we have been blighted with injuries across the back line with Patrice Evra being the only constant and it has taken its toll, a number of losses have all come against makeshift defences and yesterday is another to add to the list.
A back line of Neville, Evans, Brown and Evra came up against Everton and like Chelsea weeks before, we came undone.The game yesterday simply highlighted somethings that may or may not have been glaringly obvious:
- The Evans and Brown central defensive partnership does not work. There is a lack of cohesion between the two and the partnership lacks a leader thus both suffer. Brown can play well with Rio or Vida the same can be said for Evans, they just cannot play together.
- Jonny Evans’ performances have suffered from a lack of a consistent central defensive partner. On Tuesday at the San Siro he was victim to a very public undressing by Sir Alex and yesterday there were a few occasions where Sir Alex could have repeated. He is young and still learning but his performances of late have been well below the high standard he set for himself. I just wonder is he still carrying that ankle injury? Could he do with a rest?
- Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been missed that is more than obvious but with both out, its a completely different story. I would say it is impossible to get anywhere in the long term with a makeshift defence and what we are seeing with United is evidence of this. It will eventually catch up with you, even if you are able to get away with it in the short term.
- Gary Neville cannot start games any longer at such a high level. Yesterday he was far from the worst performer and he swung in a sumptuous cross showing that although he has lost many things as age has caught up with him, his technique has remained but he cannot possibly be asked to start at this level, unlike in the past, sadly he has become a liability.
Yesterday the European hangover from Milan and defensive woes cost the team massively as Chelsea again opened the gap at the top and Arsenal closed it. A 4th title looks a long shot but if Rio and Vidic can come back and perform at the level expected of them don’t count Man United out just yet.
