Everton 3-0 Manchester United - 5 Talking Points

#2 Former Evertonians fail to impress

Ross Barkley of Everton and Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United

There is always a lot of buzz in press and in the streets of Goodison when a former player returns. This week all the hype was built around Marouane Fellaini, who is in sublime form over the past month and has resurrected his Old Trafford career from the dead with his recent performances. The burly Belgian was always going to be scrutinised very closely and sadly, things didn’t turn out the way he or Louis van Gaal had planned.

He was smartly marked out from the game by the midfield trio of Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and at times by Ross Barkley. He had a golden chance in the first half to draw United level, but nerves got the better of him and he sent his shot straight over the bar into the roaring Toffees fans. That was his only meaningful contribution in the game and he was rightly taken off at half time. This was one of the bad days in office for the 6’ 4” midfielder and he will look to bounce back next week.

One individual who will share his grief today will be none other than his captain and former Everton star Wayne Rooney. The England captain got into some promising positions but failed to penetrate through a solid Everton backline. He was shifted to a deeper role in the second half and he was pretty ordinary there as well.

For these former Evertonians it was not a trip to remember and they will surely look to bounce back in style next time they return to their erstwhile home.