Everton 1-0 Man Utd - Reality Sinks In For Fergie

Midfield

New signing Kagawa made his debut in a three man midfield consisting of Scholes and Cleverley, and the Japanese playmaker looked impressive in dictating the tempo of the Red's attacking play, linking up with the front men with some clever through balls. Unfortunately, he didn't have quite the deciding impact over proceedings as he would have hoped to have replicated from his Bundesliga days where he managed 17 strikes for Borussia Dortmund last season. Paul Scholes meanwhile entered the referee's book for an unnecessary lunge on former team mate Darren Gibson, and, known for a spate of mistimes tackles throughout his career, looked a liability at times as he trod a disciplinary tightrope. Tom Cleverley came closest for United in their pursuit of what proved an elusive equalizer. United's travelling support thought he had scored after the hour mark when he had a stab at an unguarded Everton goal from six yards, only for Phil Jagielka to leave United fans aghast by clearing from the line what looked to be a sure goal. Star Man in Midfield: Shinji Kagawa - Looked United's most creative and dangerous in the middle of the park. Villain: Cleverley - Guilty of a miss from 6 yards, should have scored.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.