Manchester United will travel across to Merseyside on Sunday afternoon as we take on Everton at Goodison Park. The Reds are still yet to find a consistent run of form though we have won the last four out of five league games. Meanwhile, the Toffees were hit with a 10-point deduction as a result of breaching Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules thus seeing them drop into the relegation zone. United have had their own off the field dramas to contend with relating to the long-protracted ownership of the club with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to take a 25% stake.
Out attacking force has not been firing on all cylinders so far this season, it was defender Victor Lindelof who came to rescue as we beat newly promoted Luton Town in the game before the international break. He reacted quickest inside the box smashing the ball into the back of the net to give the Reds their fourth win out of five league games.
In those games, we have hardly blown the opposition teams away as we beat Fulham, Sheffield United and Brentford by a one goal margin. It has been the case of grinding out these underperforming wins as we are currently sixth in the table heading into this weekend’s fixture.
Ten Hag’s side have to make up a five point gap to reach the top four and with only 13 goals scored so far, it is the worst attacking record inside the top half of the table. Even our opponents have scored one more goal than us. However, United could record four away league game wins in a row for the first time since December 2020.
That form was then a part of a great 10-game winning away record under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær. We entered this game against the Toffees having prevailed in the last three meetings against them. In the corresponding fixture last season, Everton did take the lead before Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo hit back to give us the victory.
Manchester United Team News
There are a few injury concerns coming out of the international break as goalkeeper Andre Onana had picked up an abductor strain whilst playing for Cameroon. He is likely to shake it off and be between the sticks at Goodison Park. Rasmus Højlund’s availability remains in the balance after picking up a thigh strain in the win over Luton Town. Christian Eriksen will need more time to recover from a knee injury he picked up in the same game.
Mason Mount has picked up a calf strain which is set to rule him out for up to a month. Casemiro (thigh), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Jonny Evans (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Amad Diallo (knee) and Facundo Pellistri (knock) are all out on the sidelines.
Jadon Sancho still remains in exile from the first team which doesn’t look likely to end anytime soon. On a positive note, Luke Shaw returned to training this week and could make the matchday squad for Sunday.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Reguilon;
Fernandes, Amrabat, McTominay;
Antony, Martial, Rashford.
Opposition Preview
After securing a thrilling win over Crystal Palace before the international break, which was their third win from four matches in all competitions, Everton were bought back down with a bump as they were hit with the most points deduction seen in the Premier League. There had been allegations of financial breaches going on for while in the background. This has left the Toffees in 19th place with four points on the board.
It is only goal difference that is keeping Everton off the bottom, which is currently occupied by Burnley. Their form is good compared to those those in and around the relegation zone. They twice went ahead against Crystal Palace before being pegged back. Idrissa Gueye’s 86th-minute strike proved to be the winner ensuring they remain unbeaten in the last four matches. Everton will be fuelled by the injustice from the points deduction and will be fighting back to ensure their Premier League survival.
Everton Team News
Midfielder Amadou Onana will be unavailable for the game against United after suffering a tight calf in the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace last time out. With Onana out of contention, Gueye will come straight into the starting eleven alongside former United player James Garner. Andre Gomes and Seamus Coleman are battling their way back to fitness so may not make the squad. Dele Alli remains on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LWWLWW
Manchester United (all competitions): WLLWLW
Everton Premier League form: LWLWDW
Everton form (all competitions): WLWWDW
Prediction
Everton will have all the motivation on Sunday to come away with three points as they fight their way out of the relegation zone. Closing the gap on the top four remains a top priority for United and will have to match the performance of the Toffees to get something out of this game.
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
