There was a worrying reality check for Manchester United over the weekend as they failed to beat Everton at home in the Premier League.
A week after derby day triumph over Man City Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side struggled to show the same emphatic play which saw them beat both City and Tottenham in quick succession.
United once again struggled for creativity in midfield as they failed to break down a side who sat deeper and invited play in their own half of the pitch.
The dull draw again emphasised United's dire to add extra attacking power in the January transfer window, but the result also highlighted a need for better defensive work.
Everton's controversial opening goal might have been fortunate to stand but it also emphasised the vulnerability of United's leaky defensive back line.
United are now without a clean sheet in their last 12 league matches - their worst run since a 12-game stretch between April and August 1971.
On a personal front the dire run means David de Gea has now gone 12 consecutive Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet - the longest run of his career.
Although the defence has been successfully strengthened by the summer arrivals of Harry Maguire and Aaaron Wan-Bissaka it is clear something needs to change, and Solskjaer might be tempted to switch things up in a week which sees them face both Colchester and Watford.
