Five things we learned from watching Everton vs Manchester Utd

1.   Everton remain a tough proposition at Goodison Park.

Last night’s opening day fixture was always going to be a stern test for both sides but it was Everton, notoriously slow Premier League starters that came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. Last season the Toffees opened up their campaign with a 1-0 home reverse to QPR but David Moyes’ decision to bring them back for pre-season earlier than any other top flight side seems to have done the trick. Last night the Merseysiders were first to every loose ball and at their harrowing best in midfield.

In Marouane Fellaini they had the games outstanding player. He battered and bullied Manchester United's makeshift defence before towering above Michael Carrick to head the winning goal in the 57^th minute.

Last year Everton lost six games at home but crucially only one of those defeats came after they had scored first and that was in a wind affected game against Bolton Wanderers. In the other five home defeats to QPR, Liverpool, United, Stoke and Arsenal, Moyes’ side failed to get on the score-sheet, proving just how hard they are to beat once they have edged ahead.

2.   Crosses can win games

Despite Gary Neville’s pre-match assertions that goals from crosses are becoming a thing of the past, Everton in particular, looked a threat to the United back-four every time a ball was delivered from a wide area. With the menacing Nikica Jelavic and giant Belgian Fellaini in attendance the Blues were able to create several goal scoring opportunities, the best of which, apart from the goal, saw Leon Osman smash a shot against the visitors bar from close range.

While it’s true that not every Premier League side will be able to call upon the towering presence of a Fellaini, United in contrast looked impotent with a distinct lack of width to their play. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team all too often tried to force the ball through the highly congested central areas of the pitch. When that didn’t work and the ball finally arrived out wide Everton’s defence was set and the Blues were able to maintain their compact shape and frustrate their opponents.

3.   United need to develop a regular back-four

When you’ve got the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to choose from it really is criminal to be starting the new season with only one recognised central defender. The biggest irony was that it was fit again skipper Vidic who started the game for the Red Devils, his first competitive match for 9 months. United’s injury problems at the back need to be resolved quickly though, while team selection as ever remains a contentious issue amongst the clubs supporters. Michael Carrick stepped in to the centre-half breach last night but struggled to contain the rampant Fellaini - who all too often imposed his physicality on the stop-gap solution United’s central defensive crisis. Elsewhere winger Antonio Valencia was employed at right-back instead of the more natural selection of Rafael Da Silva.

Sir Alex’s thinking no doubt swayed by Rafael’s Old Trafford horror show against the home team back in April. Unfortunately for Ferguson, Valencia too suffered a rough time of things against the Toffees often giving away possession cheaply and struggling to get forward to support United’s listless attack. Last season United’s defensive frailties were spectacularly highlighted by a crippling injury list that saw seventeen back-four combinations used in the first twenty-four fixtures. By the time any consistency came the Red Devils had already been dumped out of the Champions League, embarrassed by Crystal Palace in a League Cup Quarter-final and hammered by Manchester City at home.

The type of defensive frugality that the presence of Rio Ferdinand and Vidic once guaranteed was last seen during the 2007 - 08 season (United conceded just 22 League goals – when each played well over 30 league games). Sir Alex will hope that two of his five central defenders will be fit enough to strike up that sort of partnership once again to allow his side to mount a serious challenge at home and abroad during 2012-13.

4.   4-3-3 doesn’t always beat 4-4-2

While the national press and most commentators have derided England’s use of 4-4-2 claiming the system to be archaic, rigid, one dimensional and no match for 4-3-3 that isn’t always the case as last night’s fixture proved. In essence formations are only ever as good as the personnel employed within them. In England’s case a lack of quality players and football intelligence have more often than not proved to be the decisive factor at major championships. Last night Everton’s 4-4-1-1 deviation from the traditional 4-4-2 was perfectly executed to strangle the life out of United and give them the width necessary to put their more celebrated opponents under pressure.

Sir Alex will know all about that. He once used the system with great success when his own midfield was built around the trickery and pace of Ryan Giggs, the vision and darting runs of Paul Scholes, Roy Keane’s commanding presence and David Beckham’s unerring crossing and passing ability. Those players didn’t attack in straight lines or lump balls forward, they pressurised opponents into mistakes, skilfully played round them and used the likes of Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke as links. While Everton’s personnel might not be at that level they still have a number of players that can pose the best of sides problems.

Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman are both capable playmakers operating from wide areas that look to join in when attacking and pop up in central positions. Crucially they both also know their role when defending, helping to make Everton as narrow as possible. Phil Neville steadies the ship with Darron Gibson in the centre of the park while in Fellaini they have a player they can play through on the deck and in the air.

To beat a side like this you have to be able to move the ball quickly and accurately. Attack weak points like the full-back positions (where Tony Hibbert and Leighton Baines are known to have issues dealing with genuine pace and trickery) and be prepared to shoot on sight.

5.   Desire, hard work and spirit can triumph over skill alone

The sight of Phil Jagielka chasing back and tackling fellow Mancunian Danny Wellbeck as he was honing in on goal epitomised Everton’s performance last night. Jagielka was on the half turn when the ball was played beyond him and into Wellbeck’s path. He was a clear second favourite. Yet somehow the defender put on the after-burners to make an important interception.

He crucially also made a goal-line clearance to deny Tom Cleverley in an outstanding display. But it would be wrong to single out Jagielka for special praise. All of his team-mates replicated his gargantuan effort, once again proving that while players may come and go at Everton the dressing room spirit created by David Moyes will always bring its rewards.   

Almost everyone I know in the football will agree with the sentiment that ‘when you go out on the pitch you have to earn the right to play’. That was none so more evident than at Goodison Park last night.

Time for Rimmer to get recognition

While today’s Premier League results (which have somehow conspired to place United at the top of the tree – it is real, I checked the table leaving OT today!) will undoubtedly dominate the column inches in tomorrow’s papers I’d just like to give mention to an event taking place in London this evening.

It’s that time of the year again when The Football League celebrates all that’s good about the game from the second to fourth tiers of English football via their annual awards ceremony.

The League’s power and control of the national game may have diminished since the creation of the Premier League two decades ago but as an organisation its importance should not be underestimated. It still plays a crucial role for 72 professional football clubs, 2000 or so players and hundreds of thousands of football fans up and down the country.

From Fan, to Family club of the Year, tonight’s bash aims to celebrate the very best of that. And while the most eyes will be on the marquee prizes that are dished out to the players of the year my focus will be solely concentrated on the ‘Unsung Hero’ award.

That is because my old Tranmere Rovers youth-team coach Warwick Rimmer is on the three-man shortlist. For those unfamiliar with the name I’ll briefly summarise, why, if he won tonight it would be nothing more than deserved.

Now 70-years-old, Rimmer developed Tranmere’s youth system in the 1980’s. Drawing upon his time as a player at Bolton Wanderers, he established a blueprint for youth development that has made a lasting contribution at Prenton Park.

Not only were players produced that were ready for the first-team but crucially year after year his home-grown youngsters were sold on to bigger clubs, generating much needed transfer income that now totals £15 million pounds.

In short without Rimmer the club may well have become defunct years ago.

I didn’t quite make the grade at Tranmere but I can honestly say that working with Warwick was a real pleasure. He made training fun and always had time for everyone under his care. One of my abiding memories is that we played possession every single day as part of training – Warwick was never for putting players through aimless running sessions – we did plenty of running but through working hard to retain the ball and then pressing and harrowing our opponents when it was lost.

What’s more he recruited genuinely good players, several of my peers have gone on to enjoy good careers in the game and at youth and reserve level the club was able to punch far above its weight and compete with the likes of United, City, Liverpool and Everton.  

That was all down to Warwick and perhaps the best thing I can say about him is that any player that has ever come under his wing holds him in the highest of esteem but don’t just take my word for it. Below is a selection of comments from those I’ve spoken to, on a man that many regard as ‘Mr Tranmere’.

Jason Koumas (Now retired)

“I actually left Liverpool to join Tranmere because of Warwick Rimmer. He took the time to sit me down and tell me how he thought I'd fit in at Tranmere and how he’d work with me to develop me as a player.

“I don’t mind admitting that Warwick was the single biggest influence on me. He helped me on and off the pitch and even when I was a professional playing in the first-team that support never wavered.

“That's what's brilliant about him. You know that no matter what he's in the background willing you on to do well.

Clint Hill (QPR):

“Warwick was tremendous for me when I was coming through at Tranmere Rovers.

“He was always available whenever I needed some advice about the game or on a personal level

“He has been a tremendous servant to the club and there is no doubt in my mind that he has been instrumental in keeping them afloat - with the number of players he has brought through the system and them then being sold on.

“I can only say good things about Warwick and if he was to win this award it would be fully merited.”

John Aldridge:

“When I was made Manager of the club he was one of the first people I turned to for support. To produce so many players to go into a team that was then operating in the Championship is no mean feat.

“He commands respect everywhere he goes.

“If you talk to parents and the players he’s worked with they all think the world of him which is great testimony to the work he’s done - it’s pleasing to see him up for this award.”

Jimmy Armfield:

“Warwick was an excellent pro and my choice as a club captain when I managed Bolton. He was the mainstay of my team leading by example and directing our young players both on and off the pitch.

“He seemed well suited to a pastoral role even back then so it has been no surprise to me that he has enjoyed such success with Tranmere”.

Danny Holmes (Tranmere Rovers):

“He’s someone who always has time for you.

“He’s got cracking stories about his time as a footballer and he’ll just do stuff that you wouldn’t believe – like walking on his hands down the corridor.

“Everyone here thinks of Warwick as a legend.”

Ian Sharps (Shrewsbury Town):

“If you look at what Warwick has done for Tranmere over the years then it’s quite clear that he hasn’t had the sort of recognition that he deserves.

“Maybe it’s because Tranmere is an unfashionable club but whatever the reason you can’t understate the job he has done there.

“When you look at all the player’s to come through it really is a phenomenal record”.

Richard Hinds (Yeovil Town):

“Warwick Rimmer is Mr Tranmere to me because he’s the first person that springs to mind when I think of the club.

“He’s done an unbelievable job there over such a long period of time. To be able to find, nurture and develop players for 25 years shows what a top football man he is.”

So that’s 29 years of service encapsulated in just over one thousand words. Let’s hope that come tomorrow morning just a few of those newspaper column inches are reserved for Warwick Rimmer, a man that truly merits them.  

The return of pass master Scholes

Firstly let me qualify what I’m about to write by saying that I rate Paul Scholes as simply the finest midfield player to grace The Premier League.

Over the years it has amazed me to hear some fans and even journalists question his ability. From the flame haired second striker who burst on to the scene at Port Vale in 1994 to the goal-scoring midfielder of late nineties and early noughties and to more latterly the deep lying playmaker one aspect of Scholes’ play has remained constant.

A complete mastery of a football allied to a phenomenal ability to execute any type of pass in the book.

In essence he makes the game look easy taking one or two touches where others take three or four. Prompting and probing until the right pass is available instead of choosing to hit a Hollywood pass that looks good but all too often fails to reach its intended recipient.

His peripheral vision and awareness is the best of any player I have ever seen. Too often especially in recent years it’s been a chore to watch United labour in midfield when he hasn’t been playing. When he’s been on the pitch it’s resembled a canvas on which he ,the master artist paints goes about his business painting pretty patterns of possession. I can honestly say I’ve never tired of watching him ping those 45 yard missiles from one side of the pitch to another. Nor have I failed to have been impressed when he plays one touch balls round the corner to a team-mate to evade an oncoming tackler.

However this ability to open up the play seemed to have been lost at the end of last season when the player who has been fittingly dubbed ‘SatNav’ by his team-mates, announced his retirement.

Typical of the man he made the announcement via the club’s website while he holidayed with his family. The minimum of fuss for a no nonsense guy - a decision apparently based on ageing legs and self-doubt over his ability to influence the big games.

That opinion was not one I concurred with. While my own football career may never have really started I have spent enough time playing with and against some very good players to realise exactly how special someone like Paul Scholes is (‘a once in a lifetime player’ according to Sir Alex Ferguson).  As far as I was concerned he still had plenty to give – so it was with a touch of both admiration and regret that I like 76,000 others bade him farewell at his Old Trafford testimonial in August.

During the course of his 74 minutes on the pitch in that game I became more convinced that his decision to retire was premature. Yes the quality of opposition (New York Cosmos) was questionable but here was a guy who after missing pre-season training still had rockets in his boots to score a goal out of the top drawer. One or two of his passes went awry but that’s not to be unexpected from a player who hadn’t done a day’s training since May. Critically though he still showed football intelligence and the awareness to execute passes that frankly no other United player is capable of!

For a player who felt he needed to make a contribution to justify a shirt maybe his decision to retire was clouded by the more and more frequent omission of his name from United’s first XI. Age has caused him to modify his game over the years as it has to other great players before him. Injuries prove harder to get over but if anything that was all that happened last year. Up until he suffered a groin injury at Rangers in the Champions League last November, Scholes had started 14 of the club’s first 21 fixtures and was arguably the stand-out performer.

That injury lay-off was a killer. He struggled to get a run of games after that point which I feel contributed to his decision to retire. However it’s also true to say that the man from Middleton has been under-used at times through no fault of his own. The 2009 & 2011 Champions League Finals have been lost to Barcelona yet their line-up isn’t hugely different from the side that United beat over two legs in 2008.

Yes the Reds have lost Ronaldo, Tevez and Hargreaves since those game but in the last two encounters the side was also hindered by its best passer being confined to the bench.

The arguments that you need to hustle and pressure Barca may well apply but as the last two finals have taught everyone – there is no substitute for quality. What’s the point in harrying and jostling for possession if when you win it back you are profligate with it? Could Scholes have played in the Barcelona midfield in either of those games and looked good? Undoubtedly!

However that ship has sailed and I genuinely don’t know what we can expect now that he’s returned albeit until May?

There are positives of course. The psychological impact of having him in the dressing room should help the squad’s younger members in what will be a tough title run-in. His experience and know how could also prove invaluable in helping the reds close down games when required.

The impact carries across to supporters as well. Many were genuinely enthused (for the first time this season) last Sunday en-route to the Etihad simply because he was back in the fold so in one sense it’s been a masterstroke by Sir Alex to re-install Scholes.

That said presumably this reintroduction also counts as an act of appeasement with fans desperate to see some fresh blood brought in to our midfield (either home-grown or via the transfer market).

I can see the logic in bringing a player (ironically United's first midfield signing since 2007) who knows the dressing room, has quality and won’t command a king’s ransom in wages but I like many hope there isn’t an over reliance placed upon him.

He is a fantastic player and but the worry for many is that his return could negatively  impact on his legacy as a true midfield great. When my other favourite player of all-time, Bryan Robson, was phased out of the United side in the 1990s proven performers like Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Brian McClair were already in place. And with Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Scholes waiting in the wings - the midfield was well catered for.

At the moment that clearly isn’t the case. Rafael’s deployment there during the Boxing Day defeat to Blackburn only confirmed how weak this current crop is. Tom Cleverley and Anderson may have excelled in the opening weeks of the season but little has been seen of Cleverley since he fell foul (literally) of a Kevin Davies challenge at Bolton. Anderson blighted by injury has failed to live up to expectations – again! Carrick is another who has had a stop start season. More stop than start! Ryan Giggs, Ji-Sung Park, Phil Jones and even Wayne Rooney have been called on to bolster the spluttering engine room.

Scholes seven month absence from the cut and thrust of the Premier League is a major concern. Physically he will get better with every training session. Every game he plays should be a step forward but therein lies the problem. How can a player who readily admits he struggled physically after a 2 month break last term hope to compete physically after such a long lay-off which saw him miss the crucial pre-season period? I might well be wrong – the lay-off may have had the opposite effect revitalising mind and body but the fact is that every mistake he makes will be scrutinised by those hoping he can’t turn back the hands of time!

I don’t subscribe to the idea that re-signing him is a gamble, far from it. United have nothing to lose and his pssing is still as good if not better than the current incumbents of the midfield positions. What dissapoints most of the Old Trafford faithful is the failure to recruit appropriately in the last 18 months.

It’s fair to say that the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Schweinsteiger don’t grow on trees but are the finances in place to purchase that  calibre of player and what, if any planning has actually occurred to replace the likes of Scholes and Giggs. Nasri and Sneijder were both targeted at different stages of the summer - neither started the season at Old Trafford. The Nasri deal was hijacked by the City while Sneijder’s wages appeared to put the brakes on that deal.

For all that’s been said and written about Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison , if they were ready for first-team action surely they'd be included on a regualr basis?

So where does that leave United? Relying on a 37 year-old genius being able to dust himself off one last time for a final hurrah!