Many of the Manchester United supporters thought that the team needed more midfield options ahead of this season, but unbeknownst to them it has been the defense that has been in complete disarray.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who was celebrating his 700th Barclays Premier League match, was dead-set against bringing in more reinforcements for some reason or another, and now the team has dropped four points in as many matches following two disappointing draws with Fulham and Everton because of it.
United were in good positions to win both of those matches, but combined, they conceded three goals after the 89th minute, which is something championship-caliber teams do not do.
The 3-0 win over Newcastle United and West Ham United are smoke screens to the issues with the defending, and they were clearly exposed against Everton.
The wins over the Magpies and Hammers mean absolutely nothing, because both of those teams will be fighting for their Premier League lives come the end of the season.
Everton came into the match with a solitary goal in their first three matches (against Wolverhampton), yet they were able to smash three passed United with out batting an eye.
Culprits
Following his alleged off-the-field shenanigans, Wayne Rooney was left completely out of the side for another crucial away trip, and United are now in danger of slipping even further behind the league leaders.
Missing a game through illness or injury is one thing, but to miss it, because of personal reasons is down right inexcusable, and all of the anti-United supporters must be loving this. United need their best players to be playing in every match, and by the shape of the line-up against Everton, this was a middle-of-the-table team.
To be somewhat fair to Rooney, he is not the only United player with their head in clouds, and if they don't right the ship quickly, the Reds could be in a real battle for the UEFA Champions League places - let alone the Premier League title.
Jonny Evans is seen as a long-term fixture in the center of United's defense, but so far this season, his performances have been suspect to say the least.
Evans was out-muscled, and ran-ragged by Bobby Zamora and other Fulham attackers, and against Everton, who were without any first-choice attackers in their starting XI, he put in another shambolic performance that should leave him cold on the reserves bench.
Following his highly-controversial 2010 FIFA World Cup with France, Patrice Evra has been ineffective since rejoining his teammates, and his confidence is worse now than when he started his United career.
After leading a player's revolt against Raymond Domenench during the World Cup, Evra has continued to be in that frame of mind, and his performances are reflecting it.
Shockingly, Sir Alex decided to replace the Frenchman against Everton when they were suppose to be protecting a two goal lead, which shows that manager maybe losing faith in him as well.
So maybe Rio Ferdinand was right after all, because players nowadays do not have a love of the sport, and are more worried about the amount of zeros on the end of their paycheck then doing their job on the pitch.
Immunity
There have been some exceptions this season, though, with two players who are normally highly-criticized playing some of their best football for United.
Both Dimitar Berbatov and Nani, as they have been doing all season, put in decent performances against Everton. The Portuguese winger assisted on two of three United goals, and Berbatov expertly took his goal to give United what seemed to be a commanding lead.
Two of the oldest players on the pitch put in very good performances as well with both Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar again defying all logic. Nemanja Vidic, who seems to be Ferguson's choice to be the long-term captain, put in a strong performance as well.
Whether it is concentration or lack of confidence, Manchester United need to be better at closing out matches.
Contributed by David Hammons / The United Religion
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