Premier League 18/19: Everton 4-0 Manchester United - 5 talking points

On a sunny and bright Easter afternoon on Merseyside, things looked rather dull and gloomy for Manchester United as they slumped to their sixth defeat in eight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Everton annihilated United by putting four past them in a shambolic performance by the Red Devils.

This was Everton’s biggest win over United since October 1984 and their 46 goals conceded this season is their most ever in a Premier League campaign.

Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the first half and Lucas Digne and substitute Theo Walcott completed a thumping win for the Toffees. Both teams had arrived at this fixture on the back of defeats but Everton showed more drive and desire to get back their winning groove.

So without further ado, let's drop into the talking points from Everton’s thrashing of Manchester United:

#5 Tepid United no match for Fantastic Everton

Richarlison scoring the opener

Judging by the performance of both the teams, Everton looked like a team fighting for a Champions League position and completely outplayed, outclassed and outfought United. They looked sharper in and out of possession and United couldn’t cope with their intensity.

The Toffees pressed them higher up the pitch and starved the United midfielders of possession. The Merseyside clubs quick, incisive and slick football dazzled the Goodison crowd and rattled the Red Devils.

The riot began with Richarlison acrobatically netting the opener after Dominic Calvert-Lewin glanced the ball from Lucas Digne’s long throw in. The situation got worse when Sigurdsson doubled the lead as he was afforded time and space to beat De Gea from 25 yards.

Digne pounded more misery when he whipped a half volley into the bottom corner to make it three before Theo Walcott completed the evisceration with a neat finish past De Gea when put one on one with the Spaniard.

United had no answer to Everton's quality and work rate as the stunned away side suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Marco Silva's men.

#4 United players fail to turn up

Appalling performance by the United players

After a string of poor performances in a haphazard campaign, United players put in another abysmal and dejected display when a response was expected after their disappointing loss against Barcelona in midweek. However, Solskjaer’s players stooped to new lows and showed no fight and determination to get a positive result.

They weren’t cohesive in attack as well as in defence and left too much space to be exploited by the enterprising Everton forwards. United were guilty of surrendering possession cheaply and not doing enough to retrieve it. The defence too appeared nervy, disorganized and fragile when subjected to constant Everton attacks.

Makeshift right-back Victor Lindelof struggled in the first half against nimble footed Bernard and the forward forays of attacking full back Lucas Digne. United missed their own first choice left-back Luke Shaw as he missed the game due to suspension. They looked disjointed throughout the encounter and conceded a goal for the 11th game in a row, their worst run for seven years and were rightly put to the sword by Everton.

#3 Another rebuilding job in the summer

Solskjaer apologizes to the United fans

The marvellous change in fortune since Solskjaer took over the reins in December that saw them lose just a solitary game in his first 18 games in charge did paper over the cracks present in the squad. But the cracks have resurfaced in this wretched run since their PSG win that has seen them exit from the FA Cup and the Champions League while their chances of securing a top-four finish are slim.

In his press conferences, Ole has spoken of the rebuilding job that awaits him and tough decisions that need to be made. This performance only intensifies the need for major investment in the summer as it will be important that the manager will be given full backing to mould the team in his image.

The team desperately needs a top quality centre back which is no secret while additions in the full back, as well as the midfield area, will be needed. United are linked to a host of players and are been reported target young British players after a short-term transfer approach in recent years.

This United team is struggling to finish in the top four, let alone challenge for the Premier League as they suffer the ramifications from an incoherent transfer strategy and mediocre buys with the constant chopping and changing of managers. Ed Woodward, who was in attendance at Goodison for this shambolic defeat, will need to loosen the purse strings and prepare himself for another big summer ahead at United.

#2 Can Everton push the big six?

Everton jubilant as Theo makes it four

Everton turned to highly rated manager Marco Silva in the summer in the hope of taking them to the next level. It has been far from that in his first season at the helm as his side has struggled for consistency. However, recent wins against Arsenal and Chelsea at their home and a clean sheet against their arch-rivals Liverpool has seen them turn Goodison into a fortress.

Their good run of form suffered a bump last week in a shock defeat to relegated Fulham but they returned back to winning ways in fabulous fashion with a four-goal thrashing of the once feared Manchester United.

Silva’s side showed against the Gunners that they are capable of playing some beautiful attacking football and are not afraid to go toe to toe against a top opposition. Everton were defensively sound, organized and have a structured attacking system with players aware of their jobs on the field.

Silva has done extremely well to stamp his authority on the side and the victory today saw them move into 7th position. However, he would be aware of the bigger brand, financial power and quality that the big six possesses and it would be impossible to compete with the financial might of the top teams. But if they can manage to keep hold of their players and acquire some astute buys in this competitive market, they could possible push for a finish in the top six.

#1 What next for Solskjaer and his players?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

In the build-up to the game, Solskjaer stated that some of his United players need a reality check and their disastrous showing at Merseyside only proved the complacent, carefree and casual nature of some of the United players.

Anthony Martial provided little to nothing in his attacking output and missed a glorious chance in the second half that pretty much summed up his evening. Nemanja Matic’s regression continued as he let Gylfi Sigurdsson get past him quite easily and wasn’t quick to put the Icelander under any pressure. Diogo Dalot did not enjoy a fine game in the left back spot and struggled like most of his teammates.

With a Manchester derby on Wednesday and a crucial game against Chelsea next Sunday, it will be interesting to watch if Solskajer decides to ring the changes ahead of these blockbuster games. There are a number of highly talented youngsters in the academy that warrant a chance and it remains to be seen how long Solsjaer persists with his under-performing stars.

For now, the United players will have a perfect opportunity to endear themselves to the United faithful after this horror show by trying to pull off a victory against their noisy neighbours at Old Trafford.