Sean Dyche urged to drop one Everton star who’s now ‘letting the team down’

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Sean Dyche has been urged to drop Ashley Young after Everton’s defeat to Manchester United.

Writing for the Liverpool Echo, Michael Ball claimed there would be ‘big question marks’ over the defender’s position in the team now.

Ashley Young was named in Everton’s starting line-up for the third successive game as he prepared to come up against his former side.

The full-back had already been shown a yellow card after only 20 minutes for a foul on Alejandro Garnacho, and he was left to balance on a tight-rope going into the second half.

However, Young remained careless at Goodison Park and eventually gave away a penalty for a trip on Anthony Martial. The 38-year-old could well have been sent off, but was ‘lucky’ to stay on the pitch.

Manchester United then doubled their lead and pretty much ended Everton’s hopes of a comeback, despite the Toffees looking the most likely to score prior to Young’s mistake.

The former England international has appeared to be a bit of a liability for Everton, having been sent off in the first half against Liverpool last month.

A number of costly errors from Young has resulted in Michael Ball questioning his place in the team, with the former defender claiming he is ‘letting the team down’.

Speaking to the Echo, Ball said: “There are big question marks over Ashley Young now.

“He is reminding me of the way Michael Keane was last season. Keane’s heart and effort was all there, but he seemed to be the one making the mistakes that were costing us. Then he came out of the side, we brought Yerry Mina in and it freshened us up.

“The same feeling is back in the fanbase with Young. He’s experienced and he’s had a fantastic career, but it seems to be him letting the team down with his decision-making.

“For the penalty, he needs to recover quicker. At that point tiredness might’ve set in – I don’t want to blame his age, but it’s not the first time a poor decision has cost us at a crucial time.

“He was probably lucky not to be sent off again. The referee – who was awful, especially in the first half – could have given him a second yellow card.

“Sometimes it takes a big decision from the manager, to realise a player is not on it or needs a break. Because at this moment in time, it seems to be that every opposition is targeting Everton’s right-back area.

“Young tends to do well for 60 minutes or so – but these mistakes are costly. Perhaps it’s time to give someone else an opportunity.”

Should Ashley Young be dropped?

Overall, Everton’s defence has looked miles better than it did at the start of the season.

Jarrad Branthwaite has really firmed things up at the back, while Vitaliy Mykolenko has drastically improved since joining the club and almost made it three goals in three games when he hit the woodwork at the weekend.

However, Ashley Young seems to be a major weak link in the Toffees’ defence. The full-back was brought in for his experience, but his age really seems to be showing.

The veteran is clearly useful in the dressing room, but Sean Dyche should definitely consider bringing in Nathan Patterson. The Scot still has plenty of potential and could do with a run in the team over Christmas.