Manchester United will try to stamp their authority when they visit Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday in the Premier League.
Everton will look to pile more misery on Manchester United when they host the Red Devils at Goodison Park. The Toffees have strung a six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, and will have their eyes on a big scalp this weekend.
Manchester United’s four-match winning run in the Premier League came to a halt last week as Manchester City handed them a thrashing, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden netting a hat-trick each.
Antony did score a spectacular curling effort, and Anthony Martial netted a late brace to hand some consolation to the visiting party. But the performance showed Erik ten Hag has a lot of work, and this current Manchester United squad is still not capable to challenge the monopoly of City.
On the other hand, Everton escaped a relegation scare last season. But this season, they have looked solid, especially at the back. They leaked a whopping 66 goals last term, but the timely arrival of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski has been an instant hit as the duo has worked tirelessly to solidify the gap in the Toffees’ backline.
Goals have been scarce to come, but the bedrock for a successful season always lies in defensive rigidity. After eight matches, Everton have managed to implement their philosophy, conceding the least number of goals among in the Premier League.
The Red Devils struggled against Omonia Nicosia to open the face of the goal before eventually prevailing. And Everton’s newly-built defence will throw some fierce challenges to Manchester United.
It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils have taken their four-match winning run taken for granted or if they have the intent to get their Premier League campaign back on track with an expressive performance on Sunday. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Everton
Frank says Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in contention for #EVEMUN on Sunday.
Watch live: https://t.co/VzPGeAYPfF pic.twitter.com/76x5rklYvY
— Everton (@Everton) October 7, 2022
Ben Godfrey and Nathan Patterson are on the sidelines for Everton. But in some good news, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate have resumed training, although the match against Manchester United could be too soon for them. The availability of Dominic Calvert-Lewin will provide Frank Lampard with more resources. But the English international is likely to start from the bench.
Jordan Pickford has been a rock in the Everton goal, and he will be busy against Manchester United. Conor Coady and James Tarkowski will continue their partnership in the heart of the Everton defence, with Seamus Coleman and Vitaliy Mykolenko flanking them.
Alex Iwobi has thrived in a more central role. And the Nigerian international will appear in a midfield triumvirate alongside Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana. Gueye has offered more steel and rigidity in the middle of the pitch, and he will have to continue his good work.
Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil will be the two wingers, hoping to stretch the Manchester United defence. Finally, Neal Maupay will spearhead the Everton attack on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Coady, Mykolenko; Onana, Gueye, Iwobi; McNeil, Maupay, Gray
Manchester United
Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek are nursing injuries and won’t be available for this match. In addition, Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Raphael Varane. And Victor Lindelof will be the French defender’s automatic replacement if he is not fit enough to feature against Everton.
David de Gea will be in his usual position between the sticks, while Lisandro Martinez and Varane will have his back from the heart of the Manchester United backline. After a couple of sub-par performances, Tyrell Malacia should make way for Luke Shaw, who gave a good account of himself against Omonia Nicosia.
Getting our recovery right 🧠#MUFC pic.twitter.com/dloFxzLGB3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 7, 2022
Diogo Dalot will keep his place on the right side of the Manchester United defence. Following an improved performance in the midfield, Casemiro will be pushing for his first Premier League start against Everton. Christian Eriksen will maintain his position in the middle of the pitch.
Marcus Rashford has been in red-hot form, and he will try to add more to his goal tally. Antony was on the scoresheet against Manchester City and the Brazilian should retain his place on the right wing.
Bruno Fernandes has not been at his best lately, but the Portuguese playmaker will find another chance to impress from the number ten role. Anthony Martial impressed in his brief cameo against Manchester City and Omonia. So the Frenchman should lead the line for Manchester United against Everton.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Key Stats
- Following a 1-0 win over Manchester United in April, Everton are looking to win consecutive Premier League games against the Red Devils for the first time since winning both games in the 2013/14 season. The Red Devils have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches against Everton (D4 L2), a 3-1 away win in November 2020. They had won five of their seven against the Toffees before this.
- Everton have won their last two Premier League games, having won just one of their previous ten. They last won three in a row in March 2021 under Carlo Ancelotti.
- Manchester United have lost eight of their last ten Premier League away games (W2), keeping a clean sheet in both victories. However, the Red Devils scored as many goals in their 6-3 defeat against Manchester City last time out as they had in their previous eight away league games combined.
- Everton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games (W2 D4). They last had a longer run in November/December 2017 (7 games), while they last had a longer stretch under a single manager between December 2016 and February 2017 (9 under Ronald Koeman).
- Antony has scored in his first two Premier League games for Manchester United. No player has ever scored in their first three appearances for the Red Devils in the competition. Marcus Rashford has faced Everton more often without ever scoring than he has any other opponent in the Premier League (11 games). Meanwhile, against no side has teammate Anthony Martial scored more Premier League goals than he has against the Toffees (5).
Players to Watch
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has been handed a new lifeline by Erik ten Hag, and he seems to be enjoying his current status. The 24-year-old is currently Manchester United’s leading provider of goals with three goals and two assists in the Premier League.
Rashford did not enjoy a good time against Manchester City and should try to make up against Everton. A victory should be enough for the Red Devils to keep their Premier League aspirations intact. And amid links with several European bigwigs, Rashford will look to show what he can offer to Manchester United.
Predictions
Everton 0-1 Manchester United
Everton’s recent performances showcase their defensive prowess, and Manchester United will have their hands full against Conor Coady and co. But the Toffees also have not managed to put up an impressive attacking display.
So Manchester United’s attacking contingent could pose a real threat to them. The Hard Tackle predicts a largely evenly-contested affair which will end with Manchester United clinching a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
