Manchester United will host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. The Red Devils won 3-0 at Goodison Park in November of last year. Alejandro Garnacho scored what may be the season’s biggest goal with an incredible overhead kick. This is the first meeting between the two clubs since then.
Preview (Manchester United vs. Everton)
The Red Devils faced a harsh reality check last weekend when they lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. It was their 11th league loss of the season, against their fierce rivals Man City and Liverpool. This came just after minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe promised to help the team knock rivals ‘off their perch’.
Man United could not withstand Man City’s deadly attack after the break, as a brace from Phil Foden and a late goal from Engel Haaland helped the title-chasing Citizens claim the bragging rights and move a staggering 18 points clear of the Red Devils down in sixth place. They led at halftime thanks to a sensational early opener from Marcus Rashford. With six points separating Man United from Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place and 11 points separating them from Aston Villa in fourth, their chances of qualifying for the Champions League are currently very slim. However, Ten Hag and company will want to gain ground on Villa and Spurs. They play each other on Sunday, by defeating Everton on Saturday.
United has won 40 league meetings with the Toffees. They are tied for the most victories by one team against another in the division’s history. The Red Devils have also won each of their last four meetings by an aggregate score of 8-1. Despite this, United only has the 10th-best home record in the Premier League this season (W7, D1, L5). Before last weekend’s home match against an inept West Ham United team, many would have predicted that Everton’s successful appeal to lower their 10-point punishment for violating Profit and Sustainability Rules to six points would bring the team much-needed momentum.
Team News
While they all continue to heal from injuries, Man United is still without Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia (both knees), Luke Shaw (muscle), Anthony Martial (groin), Mason Mount (calf), and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (unspecified). The return of Harry Maguire (unspecified) and Rasmus Hojlund (muscle), who have missed the last two games due to minor injuries, should help Ten Hag, however Rashford and Jonathon Evans will have knocks they sustained during the Manchester derby evaluated before kickoff.
Lewis Dobbin and Andre Gomes both made substitute appearances last time out after recovering from calf and ankle injuries, respectively. The Toffees duo could play against Man United, but the midfield trio of Madou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and former Red Devil James Garner is expected to start. Ben Godfrey, Nathan Patterson, and veteran right-flanker Ashley Young, a former United player, will compete for a starting position at right-back, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since October 29, will want to start up front ahead of Beto.
Manchester United 2-1 Everton
For more football previews, click here
