Everton – Manchester United: Passive Everton Enable Bruno Fernandes To Orchestrate (1-3)

While both Everton and Manchester United had limitations in their respective buildups, only one team had Bruno Fernandes. His roaming from the number ten spot was pivotal to progressing through Everton’s passive 4-5-1 defensive formation, being involved in all three of their goals and provided Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side with an important three points.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

After a strong start to the campaign, Everton dropped off the top spot with defeats to Southampton and Newcastle United. With a chorus of first-team starters injured -especially missing the penetrative runs of Richarlison - miserably failed to break through Southampton’s highly organized defensive block. 

Carlo Ancelotti made a tactical change away to Newcastle, returning to the “Christmas Tree” 4-3-2-1 formation that he revolutionized at AC Milan. However, without having Kaká or Rui Costa receiving between the lines, anything positive coming out of the construction phase would end with André Gomes or Gylfi Sigurðsson losing the ball. A return to the 4-3-3 formation was needed.

Manchester United also did not come into this gameweek in great form. Arsenal exploited their weak buildup, with an impressive pressing display, but Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s tactical game plan and poor substitutions put him back in the limelight. A poor performance against İstanbul Başakşehir in midweek has aggravated the Solskjær situation, with mutterings of a potential boot being delivered from the club’s hierarchy. 

Ancelotti was welcomed with a whole roster of his first team, returning from injuries. Seamus . . .