It’s dangerous to look at the Premier League table early on in the season, making the adulation Manchester United received after they scaled the summit following a 3-0 win against Sunderland a little premature.

This current spell was always going to say more about Louis van Gaal’s reshaped side than the nascent stages of the campaign; away games against Arsenal and Everton, followed by a clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford. Indeed, this weekend’s tie against the Toffees, although lowest in profile of the aforementioned trio, is likely to give us the clearest indication yet into the current stature of this United side.

Arsenal are a team who, when they turn it on, can tear into any rival, while the Red Devils will naturally raise their game for the visit of their nearest rivals. But Everton will pose their own issues on Saturday.

Goodison Park is the venue that has exposed United’s recent flaws more than any other. The Red Devils have lost the last three games there in succession without scoring a goal, as a savvy Toffees XI have tactically got the better of Sir Alex Ferguson—in his final season as boss—former manager David Moyes and, most recently, Van Gaal.

You suspect Roberto Martinez will approach this fixture in the same style which has enabled Everton to secure comfortable victories in his two games against the Red Devils at Goodison: sit deep, stay compact, tempt United forward and then be sharp in transitions, exposing the space the Red Devils leave.

The manner in which United have performed so far this season, a meticulous but often moribund passing style, would play right into the hosts’ hands if that is indeed Martinez’s modus operandi. It poses one of a few festering problems for the Dutchman.

The dearth of defensive depth has been exposed in recent weeks, with Ashley Young stationed as a makeshift left-back at Arsenal, while the balance of the Red Devils’ midfield remains skewed, with Van Gaal still unsure on how best to utilize Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera.

Further forward, cutting edge has been the biggest conundrum for the manager. Anthony Martial has dazzled, but Memphis Depay has oscillated between extraordinary and erratic, while Wayne Rooney has been a shadow of the player who has enchanted Everton and United fans alike down the years.

They’re problems Van Gaal has had to cope with previously, with the squad never looking complete on his watch. And despite being swept aside by the Gunners a fortnight ago, the Dutchman has instilled a fortitude and cohesion into this team that has made them much more difficult to beat than under his predecessor.

Still, as scrupulous and seasoned as the Dutchman is, there are still lessons to be learned. Will, like last season, United rock up at Goodison Park and be exposed on the break? Is he willing to compromise on his own staunch principles for the sake of results? Can he find a formula for the festering concerns away from home, with the Red Devils having lost three of their last four away games in all competitions?

A loss to Everton and more questions will be asked. United have strung together some decent results early in the season, but aside from three points against a Liverpool team slumped in a malaise under Brendan Rodgers, they’ve yet to flex their muscles against quality opposition.

As mentioned, often you can’t account for a spell of brilliance from a truly elite team. Everton aren’t in that bracket, of course, but Martinez’s men are rejuvenated this season and with Seamus Coleman, Kevin Mirallas and John Stones set to return, will be close to fielding a full strength XI. United will have to play very well if they are to beat them on home soil.

It’s imperative they don’t lose. Especially with a trip to face CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League (see TV schedule) preceding the Sunday showdown with City. But looking a little deeper, how United set up for the Everton game will tell us a lot about Van Gaal’s side, his own mentality and their title prospects.

A conservative team selection and some comparatively routine play will paint a picture of a manager who is set to abide by his entrenched beliefs regardless of opposition throughout 2015-16. A willingness to be flexible, accept this squad’s frailties and combat opposition strengths will give United a better chance of challenging in the long run.

At the moment, the manner in which Everton are going to approach this clash could vary; they could apply pugnacious pressure  as they did against Chelsea, or adopt the deep-sitting style which has been so successful against the Red Devils recently. Martinez, for all his flaws, has proven himself to be versatile in that sense.

By contrast, United are set in their mechanistic ways and while it’s key to have a core identity, teams with ambitions of competing for the biggest honours must be tactically adaptable. Remembering that would serve Van Gaal well as he formulates a blueprint to beat Everton on Saturday.

 

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJFootball