EPL 2016/17: Manchester United 1-1 Everton: 5 Talking Points
Another Manchester United home game, another draw. It’s become a bit of a running joke, that unbeaten run – but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury-time penalty ensured that Everton did not climb above their hosts, leaving the Red Devils ensconced in 5th (for the moment i.e, Arsenal play West Ham in a crunch London derby tomorrow). They still without any momentum as they try to break into the top 4.
Here are the five major talking points from what was, at times, an utterly fascinating match:
1. United look disjointed but are still better than the LVG-era version
There was an illuminating moment a couple of minutes kick-off in the second half when Jose Mourinho could be heard screaming at Ander Herrera to switch flanks with Ashley Young – Herrera had been made left back after Daley Blind had been hooked to accommodate the returning, but evidently still not 100% Paul Pogba... and the whole episode begged the question... why not have started the second half with Young in his by-now familiar left back role?
This lack of communication was evident throughout the game, with half-baked set-piece routines and players filling-in in unfamiliar positions. Despite all this, though, it has to be said that United are still a better – and an eminently more watchable – outfit than they were under Louis Van Gaal.
While the comparison of the records of the two managers (after 28 games, both had 53 points) is being used as a battering ram against Mourinho, what many fail to see is how much better United have gotten at getting shots away, at creating chances and ensuring the ball stays in the opposition third. Better finishing, and that league standing would look a whole lot better.
Here’s some more detailed statistical comparisons on the different managerial tenures United have had over the past five years (in terms of where United are amongst the competition)
| Parameter | Ferguson | Moyes | Van Gaal | Van Gaal | Mourinho |
| Shots on target p.g. | 7th | 8th | 5th | 13th | 1st |
| Shots per game | 7th | 8th | 7th | 15th | 2nd |
| Crosses per game | 5th | 1st | 4th | 11th | 1st |
| Passing accuracy | 2nd | 5th | 1st | 4th | 2nd |
| Big chances missed | 3rd | 8th | 4th | 16th | 1st |
| Opposition third | 12th | 3rd | 4th | 1st | 1st |
They are doing a lot of things right, but Manchester United’s footballers – to a man – really need to work on their finishing.