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Manchester United, after a humbling defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League, were expected to bounce back against Everton to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe's premier competition alive.
That was not the case as Everton ran a shambolic United defense ragged with a comfortable 4-0 victory while dominating the game till the very end. Gylfi Siggurdson and Richarlison proved to be tough customers as Smalling & Co. struggled to keep pace with their persistent attacks.
United's performance has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a lot to ponder before they face the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. Here are three takeaways from the game which could prove crucial for United in the long term.
#1 United's defense needs an anchor
If the 3-0 defeat at Barcelona was considered okay by Solskjaer due to their stature then, the humiliating defeat at Everton should set the alarm bells ringing. The lack of intensity and positional awareness was evident as United were caught napping, making it too easy for their opponents to create chances and score.
This is the first time since the 2000/01 season that United have conceded more than 46 goals in a campaign and the tally would have increased if not for De Gea's occasional heroics. United's reluctance to open their chequebook to sign elite defenders came back to haunt them.
Players such as Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who would not have made the City or Chelsea squads, are considered automatic starters due to the lack of choices. These factors played a significant role in the humiliation suffered in the hands of Everton as United looked both leaderless and motorless despite having both.
Both Jones and Smalling failed to take control of the defense and seemed to be all over the place. United have ignored this area for years and are paying the price for it now as their dangerous attack which usually bails them out failed to make up for their lackluster defense.
#2 United have a problem deeper than their personnel or manager
United's problems run deeper than their personnel or manager as for the first time in the history of the club, the character of the players is being questioned. The body language of United's key players like Pogba and Nemanja Matic seemed casual while jogging about and lacked the intensity which is expected out of a player wearing the Manchester United badge.
The club has failed to buy the right players because they lack direction or philosophy in recent times due to them being run as a business first organization with minimal attention paid to the footballing aspect. The players which they have bought might be supremely talented but lack the guts and grit to wear the United shirt as they succumb way to easily in the face of adversity.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival turned the tide with a temporary infusion of energy and positivity, but current performances show that the scars run way deeper than we initially thought. United sides have not only been known for their talent but also their will and determination which has seen them come out successful more often than not.
Certain players have become complacent over the years and should be weeded out of the team immediately as there is no room for problems with work ethic in the club. Very few players in the current squad live up to the billing in terms of the right mix in talent and attitude.
#3 Solskjaer is expected to be ruthless during his summer rebuild
After witnessing what was United's worst performance since the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea in 2016, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be ruthless in what could be a massive rebuild for the club in the summer.
The current Manchester United players have always got away with things due to their potential, and the blame usually falls on the manager as witnessed by the axing of Jose Mourinho.
The current state of the club, however, might prove that Mourinho was right about some of the players he openly chastised as talent does not make up for hard work no matter who you are. For every Ronaldo and Cantona, there were players like Park Ji-Sung who gave their life and soul for the team and made the club tick. United have an abundance of talent but lack characters in the dressing room.
United need some quality signings in the summer and have to spend big. Summer arrival holds the key to United's fortunes next season.
