Sean’s team to face Manchester United: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Lennon, McCarthy (if fit), Barry, Mirallas; Naismith, Lukaku.
I’d stick with the same back four and goalkeeper that seem to be finding some consistency and keeping clean sheets. Jagielka in particular has really elevated himself to a fantastic level of form- long may it continue. Assuming McCarthy is fit, I’d go with him and Barry in midfield. The recent suspension seems to given Barry the break he needed. If McCarthy fails to make it, I’d go with Besic. Out wide, I’d like to see us go with Lennon and Mirallas again. Playing with two natural wingers adds an exciting dimension to our team. Although we probably didn’t see the best of it against Burnley, the goal showed its potential. Started with Lennon, finished by Mirallas. I’m also struggling to find reasons for us not to try and sign Lennon. After a slow start, he’s really found his feet and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he’s one of the most exciting players when he gets the ball we’ve seen at Goodison in recent times. Up top, I’d go with Lukaku and Naismith. Hopefully Lukaku is fully over his injury, and I think Naismith deserves a start. When he first signed for Everton, I remember reading somewhere a Rangers fan, who said he has a habit of scoring in the big games. He certainly has had a knack of finding the net against the better teams, 3 against Chelsea, 2 against Arsenal, 1 against United, 1 against Liverpool and 1 against Man City.
Paddy’s team: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Barkley, Lennon, Mirallas, Lukaku.
I’d plump for a variation of 4-2-3-1 here, just because it gives us numbers in key areas and allows the players to be more flexible, both in attack and defence. One of our writers wrote a piece earlier in the week extolling the virtues of the ‘if it ain’t broke’ philosophy, and this team is very much a reflection of that particular mantra. I must sound like a broken record week in, week out, when I harp on about the need for continuity in the back five, yet we’re really starting to see consistent selection policy paying dividends in terms of clean sheets and individual form. Stones and Jagielka are looking a fantastically balanced pair at the moment, and I’d like to see a reprisal of the Barry-McCarthy axis for the same reason, if the Irishman is indeed fit enough to start (my guess is he will, along with Rom). My one concern, here, is that we don’t quite have the physicality to match ex-Toffee, Marouane Fellaini, who will pose a considerable threat in the air. This, for me, will be key to how the game pans out, so fingers crossed on that one.
In attacking midfield, I’ve gone for Barkley- despite his recent penalty miss, the youngster plays well in tandem with Lukaku, and is exactly the sort of direct threat that could concern the United defence- along with Lennon and Mirallas in the wide areas. Sean went for Naismith here, and I do understand the Scot’s value in big games, given his excellent scoring record against the likes of City and Liverpool, but he’s an option off the bench for me, as space opens up. If we’re looking for fluidity in our play, and fast attacking football, then Barkley should always get the nod, in my opinion. This, in my view at least, is a balanced team that can cause problems to van Gaal’s in form, but slightly overrated side. COYB!
