Why Barkley Holds The Key To Manchester United’s Downfall This Evening

Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini and David Moyes all get the chance to go up their former club Everton this evening, as do Phil Neville and Tim Howard, but there is one man who I think holds the key to Everton’s potential success tonight, and that’s midfielder Ross Barkley.

The 19-year-old has finally come to fruition this season and has been a major reason why the Toffees have lost just once in their 13 games.

Not only has he scored twice and made nine key passes, but he has also come out on top of 35 of his 53 attempted take ons, which is 66%.

Tonight he will be up against fellow England international Tom Cleverley and former team-mate Fellaini, and for me it will be the teenager that will come out the victor of the battle.

Barkley is a player who has everything. His frame is something you’d expect from a player not just older but more physically-matured than him. His range of passing is reminiscent of United legend Paul Scholes. And he has every ingredient needed to become a very, very special player. Not only in the Premier League, either, but in European football.

United have had all sorts of midfield problems of late and Moyes will know exactly what he’s coming up against in the shape of Barkley and will rightly be trembling in his training gear.