Photo credit: Sports Vision
For today's game, United have changed their formation with Casemiro partnering Eriksen at the back, Luke Shaw at left back, Malacia on the bench, Martial up front, Rashford on the left and Crowe on the bench.
The game started with Everton's home side playing aggressively, especially Iwobi, who was running around the pitch. Everton's pressure was so intense that United were in disarray before they could even start their play. 5 minutes in, Everton sent the ball into United's half, Antony faced Casemiro's pass but was cut off due to Casemiro's mistake, Gray broke through and United quickly retreated, however, Gray's cross was accurate and Iwobi received the ball and fired in a fast curling shot from 20 yards out. curling shot from 20 yards out for the breakaway goal.
It was a great goal by Everton, not all of which could be blamed on poor defending by United, but was really just a mistake by Casemiro, Eriksen was not able to defend as he was on duty, Antony dropped back to assist, and Everton started the game with gusto.
As the game progressed United made adjustments and Antony was instructed to go back into defense and form a triangle with Dalot and Casemiro on the right to limit Everton's left flank. United's tactics were to have Dalot insert himself at the back several times, using technical passes to push Casemiro forward, whilst Eriksen on the left pulled back to the left to push Luke Shaw forward, Eriksen moved up the diagonal line from center to back left, using excellent vision and passing to make long passes down the right flank at times, pushing Rashford and Luke Shaw, whilst Martial dropped back towards the back left to form a four man area to defend against Everton's Coleman, Iwobi, Gordon.
Manchester United focused on defense, constantly making short passes, and had to rely on short passes to keep possession in the face of Everton's tackles. This approach by United left players having to pass the ball before they were in position, resulting in a game where United were unable to attack effectively and made mistakes, the first of which was a mistake by Casemiro, but his numerous passing errors did not result in significant damage.
With 15 minutes to go Dalot played a short pass to Casemiro in his own half, the ball was intercepted by Iwobi, Iwobi passed to Gueye, B.Fernandes anticipated the passing move and rushed forward to knock the ball to Martial, Martial turned and counter attacked, Everton defense was in disarray, Antony picked up the ball on the left side of the field and curled a left footed shot to break the goal Tied.
B.Fernandes crashed the ball with precision to Martial, who has been in a long slump in form, but had a good campaign.
Everton's Gueye was poor as the central backs failed to push and pass effectively, leading to Iwobi and Onana getting into a mess.
Martial left the game with an accidental injury on 29 minutes after dishing out an assist, with Crowe coming on as a substitute.
United used a lot of short passes to gradually take control of the game, and although mistakes were made, Everton's formation was also disorganized and unprepared to attack. In the 44th minute before the end of the first half, Rashford pulled back a pass from the left to Casemiro, who made a mistake in stopping the ball and it was taken away by Iwobi, but Casemiro quickly broke the ball and passed it to Crowe, who was able to get back onside and scored with a low shot.
