Tactical Battles That Will Shape Manchester United's Clash with Everton
Everton travel to Manchester United on Wednesday for a much anticipated clash with their former manager, David Moyes.
The Toffees have not won at Old Trafford since 1992 and have lost on six of their last seven visits to the current Premier League champions.
However, Roberto Martinez's side will be eager to prove a point to their former manager and will be confident following their best start to a season since 2005.
Everton are currently ahead of United in the table having lost just one of their 13 Premier League games so far.
Looking ahead to Wednesday's game, here's a look at a few key tussles that may prove decisive.
Bryan Oviedo vs. Antonio Valencia
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Bryan Oviedo has rightly been lauded following an impressive first start of the season.
The Costa Rican deputised for Leighton Baines in the 4-0 win over Stoke, scoring, grabbing an assist and proving a constant threat in attack.
However, few have many qualms about Oviedo's attacking capability; it's the defensive side of his game that remains unproven. This trip to Old Trafford will provide a stern examination of his technique and potential as a top flight defender.
Expect Manchester United to direct a lot of traffic towards their right flank in an attempt to exploit any defensive weakness.
Antonio Valencia has been returning to form in recent weeks and will look to speed past the Costa Rican at every opportunity.
Phil Jagielka vs. Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney has been Manchester United's best player in recent weeks, either as a support striker or as his side's main forward.
He will prove the biggest threat to the Toffees who will be desperate to suppress their former academy graduate.
Phil Jagielka will be organising a back four looking for an eighth clean sheet of the season.
Against Tottenham, Rooney began furthest forward, before dropping deeper and switching with Welbeck where he became far more prominent.
This was because he found more time and space, which Jagielka must ensure his defence deprive him of.
Romelu Lukaku vs. Jonny Evans
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As with Rooney for Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku will prove the Toffees' most dangerous weapon.
Even when not at his best the Belgian striker has a knack of finding the net and his presence drastically augments the Toffees' attack.
He's already hit eight Premier League goals in eight starts, more than any Everton player managed last season—excluding Marouane Fellaini—and he currently boasts the best goals per minute ratio (116.88) in Premier League history.
Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been rotated in recent weeks, leaving Jonny Evans as United's main constant in defence.
The Northern Irishman's had some difficult games against Everton in the past, most notably in the Toffees' 3-1 win in 2010, but has cut a far more reliable figure in recent times.
Ross Barkley vs. Marouane Fellaini
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Following Phil Jones' suspension, Marouane Fellaini seems poised for a return to the United XI, where he may well find himself up against Ross Barkley.
This presents a fascinating clash between Everton's old and new. Fellaini will be in an orthodox midfield position and Barkley, if he returns to the line-up, will look to find space between the lines.
Both should be within close proximity of each other and Barkley will hope to capitalise on the Belgian's hesitant start away from the Toffees. He will look to dribble and draw fouls or commit enough markers to then play in a teammate.
Fellaini will feel confident of impressing against players he's predominantly familiar with and, at his best, is ideally suited to suppress the Toffees' talented youngster.
A ball-winning machine at times with Everton, Fellaini's performance will have a large bearing on Barkley's prominence.
Roberto Martinez vs. David Moyes
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Stylistically, this match presents an intriguing battle between the approach of both managers.
Roberto Martinez has instructed his side to retain possession and control games as much as possible this season, while Manchester United have become something of a counter-attacking side without Robin van Persie.
That considered, it seems unlikely either side will remain completely committed to their recent philosophy.
Without Van Persie, Manchester United have been compact in the middle and had pace in their four most attacking positions, occupied by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia, Nani and Danny Welbeck.
This has enabled them to launch some electric breaks that have proved effective away at Tottenham and especially against Bayer Leverkusen.
However, at home the Red Devils will want more of the ball and Martinez's Everton will perhaps be more content to drop a little deeper and launch their own counter-attacks through the pace of Kevin Mirallas, Gerard Deulofeu, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku.
How each manager opts to go will prove fascinating viewing. Martinez's tactics shone through during their last encounter, as his Wigan side won 3-0 at Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final.
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