Manchester United will face off against Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
The Red Devils endured a dire first half of this season but after winning four consecutive games, it looked like they were turning the corner. They even managed to push themselves into the conversation for the top-four finish. But after back-to-back defeats, including a 3-1 loss at Man City, United’s hope of booking their place in the Champions League for next season is looking bleak.
Erik ten Hag’s side are currently sixth in the table with 44 points from 27 games, sitting 11 points behind the fourth-placed Aston Villa. Fifth place could be enough to play in Europe’s elite club competition next term, but they are currently six points behind Tottenham Hotspur – who have a game in hand.
On the other hand, Everton have had a topsy-turvy campaign so far. The Toffees enjoyed a promising start under Sean Dyche’s guidance but following their 10-point deduction having been found guilty of breaching the FFP rules, they found themselves in the relegation zone.
Although their points deduction has been reduced to six points, they are currently 16 in the table with 25 points from 27 games, sitting five points off the 18th-placed Luton Town – who have a game in hand.
They have been winless in the Premier League since mid-December so they currently lack confidence ahead of this game. But, they will be desperate to return to winning ways to stay away from the relegation zone.
Previous meetings
The Red Devils have enjoyed a promising time against their Saturday’s opponent as they have won the last four consecutive games versus the Toffees, including the 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park. So, Man Utd will be keen on continuing their impressive record over Everton in this encounter as well.
How to watch
The game will kick off at 12:30 PM UK time and the game will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK.
Supporters can buy Manchester United vs Everton tickets through the official club website but they may be sold out by now. However, fans can still get hold of tickets at reputable online resellers.
Team news
Man Utd have struggled with injury problems throughout the season and they will be without several of their key men in this fixture. Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia are all set to be unavailable for selection in this game owing to their respective issues.
Rasmus Hojlund has been sidelined over the last few games due to a muscular problem and he may remain sidelined for this weekend’s game as well.
Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane reportedly played the last game against Manchester City with injury problems. But, while the Portuguese is guaranteed to play, there are doubts about the availability of the other two.
As for Everton, they don’t have many injury problems at the moment but they will be without Arnaut Danjuma due to an injury. In addition, Idrissa Gueye is in doubt ahead of this encounter so it remains to be seen whether he can feature on Saturday.
Predicted line-up
Ten Hag usually deploys the 4-2-3-1 formation and it’s unlikely to be anything different in this game. Andre Onana is set to be in goal, while Varane and Evans could continue at the heart of United’s defence. Diogo Dalot remains the only fit fullback option for Ten Hag and he should be in the right-back position with Victor Lindelof likely to be on the opposite side.
Casemiro is set to be in the holding midfield position and alongside the South American, Kobbie Mainoo should commence in the engine room, pushing Bruno Fernandes in the number ten position.
Alejandro Garnacho could be in the left-wing role, while Rashford could be deployed in the centre-forward position, starting Amad Diallo on the right flank.
Expected Man Utd line-up vs Everton
Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Garnacho, Bruno, Amad; Rashford
As for Everton, Dyche is set to field his side in the 4-4-1-1 formation with Jordan Pickford set to be in goal. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite – who has been linked with a move to United in recent times – are likely to be the centre-back pairing for the visitors. Ben Godfrey could be in the right-back position, while Vitaliy Mykolenko should continue on the opposite side.
Amadou Onana and James Garner are expected to commence in the engine room with Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil likely to be on the flanks. Abdoulaye Doucoure should be in the attacking midfield position and in front of him, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to lead the line for the Toffees.
Expected Everton line-up vs Man Utd
Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, McNeil; Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin
Key players
Amid Hojlund’s absence, the onus will be on Rashford to help his side win this game by putting his name on the score-sheet. He has come under fire for disappointing displays but he managed to silence his critics a bit by scoring an emphatic goal last time out against the city rivals Man City.
Bruno hasn’t been at his best either this term but he was at the centre of everything good that Man Utd created in the last game. So, the United captain will have to take extra responsibility in this game. The Man Utd fans will be hoping that Bruno will be able to guide his team to victory by performing at his best in this encounter.
The Red Devils have lost their last two Premier League games so senior players like Casemiro and Varane will have to show leadership qualities this weekend and help United come away with all three points.
For Everton, Calvert-Lewin will have to be at his very best to help his side come away with a positive result from this fixture. The responsibility will be on him to hold up the play and finish off his chances when he gets those.
Garner, the Man Utd academy graduate, will have to dictate the game from midfield and the onus will be on him to deliver excellent crosses from set-pieces as the dead-ball situations are one of the main sources of goals for Everton this season.
Tarkowski and Branthwaite will have to be at the top of the game to keep United’s attack at bay and they will have to showcase their heading prowess in the opposition box during the set-pieces.
Prediction
Man Utd haven’t lost to Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League since 2013. However, the Red Devils had to settle for a draw in three out of the last four games against the Toffees at home in the league.
So, United will be the favourite to win this game, however, bearing their current form in mind, it won’t be a stroll in the park for Ten Hag’s side this weekend. Man Utd 2-2 Everton
