David Moyes surprised Everton fans with his starting XI for the 3-3 draw against Manchester City.
The Glaswegian is a stubborn operator who rarely changes his side, but made some interesting tweaks as Pep Guardiola visited the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.
Tim Iroegbunam – named Man of the Match – impressively stepped in for the injured Idrissa Gueye, but the most intriguing move from David Moyes was Merlin Rohl starting on the right flank instead of Dwight McNeil.
Who is to blame for this? 🙄
This is becoming a real issue for Everton and costing them valuable points! 😭
Everton might be planning for life after Dwight McNeil
This was the exact type of game in which McNeil is typically preferred, a match where Everton expect to do a lot of defending, and an industrial option like the former Burnley man would normally be viewed as someone who can help to nullify a talent like Jeremy Doku down that flank.
However, the Everton No.7 didn’t even come off the bench as Rohl played the entire game, a move which speaks volumes ahead of the summer transfer window.
Everton had already agreed to sell McNeil in February and a £20m switch to Crystal Palace appeared to have been finalised, before the Eagles pulled the plug.
It was therefore a surprise to see Moyes bring the 26-year-old back into the starting XI for the last seven Premier League games in a row before the visit of Manchester City.
Having only won three of those matches – with McNeil failing to score or assist – it could now be argued that Moyes has well and truly given up on the man born in Rochdale, as Rohl was instead given a rare chance to shine.
It was just the third time the German has started in the Premier League.
McNeil also sees his contract expire at the end of next season, so there should be an urgency from Everton to find a buyer.
What should Everton do with Dwight McNeil this summer? 🤔
He has really turned it around following his failed move to Palace! 🤩
With Tyler Dibling – who is showing an impressive attitude – also fighting for a spot on that right flank, it very much feels as if McNeil has already been told to find a new club ahead of the summer transfer window.
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