Everton travel to Manchester United on Monday evening aiming for their first win at Old Trafford in over a decade.
Everton have started the season well, taking 15 points from 11 games in the Premier League, and they can move into the top half with a win over Manchester United on Monday evening after a 2-0 win over Fulham last time out.
It’s no easy task, with United themselves doing well in the Premier League so far this season, but David Moyes will have prepared his team for the task over the international break.
And one key statistic from this season has shown exactly where Everton can hurt the Red Devils, with Ruben Amorim’s side tending to fall away in the second half.
Manchester City v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Manchester United are particularly vulnerable in the second half of Premier League matches
Everton are by no means the highest scorers in the Premier League this season, only notching 12 goals – with Leeds and Wolves scoring less so far this campaign.
But United do boast a genuine weakness that Everton should look to take advantage of.
In terms of goals conceded in the second half of games up until the 90th minute, United are joint-top of that list alongside Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves with 11 – compared to Everton’s seven.
What is your prediction for Man United vs Everton?
MORE EVERTON STORIES
And, in second half stoppage time, United have also conceded three goals – with only Newcastle and Leeds conceding more in that time with four.
Overall, for the entirety of the second half, United are joint-top with West Ham and Wolves for goals conceded – and Everton can exploit that.
Bringing fresh legs on could be just the tonic to down Ruben Amorim’s men going into the second half of the game, and a top half place may be just over the horizon.
Everton’s summer signings could be the difference in a second half regard
Everton’s attacking depth and squad in general was underwhelming last season, but the arrival of some solid options in the final third has given them much-needed depth going forwards, in the form of Jack Grealish’s move from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joining from Chelsea.
The likes of Dwight McNeil, Tyler Dibling and Carlos Alcaraz are now genuine substitutes, and barring Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliance, that would have been Everton’s starting three last season.
Player Premier League minutes
Iliman Ndiaye 919
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 888
Jack Grealish 827
Carlos Alcaraz 244
Tyler Dibling 63
Dwight McNeil 51
That squad depth could be vital. With United lacking in the second half, McNeil’s deliveries, Dibling’s jinking runs – which have earned Paul Scholes’ praise – and Alcaraz’s energetic nature could be crucial to David Moyes if he opts to change his game plan.
The Toffees now have six genuine options to choose from to hurt United in any way that Moyes would like, and with fresh legs, they could run a ragged United defence into the ground to come away with three vital points.