This brilliant tactical tweak will help Carrick thwart Moyes’ trademark ploy and earn three points on Merseyside

Manchester United travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night. Michael Carrick will be taking on David Moyes in what could prove to be an interesting tactical battle.

This will be United’s first competitive trip to Everton’s new home. They will also have the 1–0 home defeat to 10-man Everton in the reverse fixture on their minds, and thus will be out for revenge.

The Red Devils are on 45 points after 26 matches. This is, therefore, yet another opportunity to boost their top-four hopes in the race for a Champions League spot.

The Toffees, however, are on 37 points after 26 games, but will still be pushing for European football come the end of the season nonetheless.

The Old Trafford club have not played in almost two weeks. Meanwhile, the Merseyside club last featured in a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Carrick’s early run has steadied the ship after the chaos of Ruben Amorim. After all, United are unbeaten in five matches under the interim head coach. They will, however, be looking to return to winning ways after drawing with West Ham United.

Team news and likely shapes

Patrick Dorgu remains out with a hamstring injury. Mason Mount, however, is close to returning, whilst Matthijs de Ligt continues to work his way back to full fitness from a back issue.

Dorgu’s absence will be sorely felt once again because his pace and power helps stretch the pitch in wide areas, and he has the capacity to recover in transition.

Carrick, therefore, has to decide between Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo on the left side, with the former having a tendency to drift centrally, whereas the latter is a more direct threat.

On the other hand, Jake O’Brien is suspended following his red card against the Cherries. In addition, Jack Grealish is sidelined for the rest of the campaign after surgery on a broken foot.

O’Brien’s unavailability means a lack of aerial prowess, and with the maverick Grealish missing, Everton also lose an X-factor in the final third.

United’s build-up versus Everton’s mid-block

To begin with, Everton will sit in a compact mid-block marshalled by James Tarkowski. Once their structure is established, they will then overload the central areas with the robust Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Afterwards, they will hit you on the counter with the trickery of Illiman Ndiaye and the engine of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. This sequence culminates in Thierno Barry popping up in the six-yard box to poke home.

United, therefore, have to be patient and structured in their build-up. This starts with Lisandro Martinez always scanning for open passing lanes as he gauges when to stick or twist in possession in the first phase.

With Casemiro shielding the backline and Kobbie Mainoo looking for empty pockets, Bruno Fernandes can be released as the free man once United beat the press. Luke Shaw or Diogo Dalot can then make underlapping runs into the half-spaces. This pattern ultimately creates a numerical advantage for the final ball and is United’s best chance of securing a victory.

The crucial question will be whether one of Amad, Cunha, or Mbeumo makes way for the in-form Benjamin Sesko, after the Slovenian saved United’s blushes with a last-minute equaliser at the London Stadium.

Key take home messages

• Moyes will aim to frustrate Carrick’s side just as Nuno Espirito Santo did. Everton have the height in the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite to win practically every first ball.
• Furthermore, James Garner has the capability to play passes into the channels, whilst Tyrique George is an unpredictable option.
• In the final analysis, how well United stay protected behind the ball as they attack will be vital. If they don’t maintain a proper rest defence, Everton will punish their lack of discipline with ruthless fast-breaks.
• Essentially, if United break the deadlock, the game will open up and spaces will appear. Conversely, if Everton find the net first, it becomes a long, physical night against a low block.

Featured image composite via Getty Images, credits Alex Burstow, James Fearn, Jess Hornby

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