In a clash of the struggling titans, Everton travel to Old Trafford for a Sunday lunchtime showdown with Manchester United.
Manchester United vs Everton TEAM NEWS:
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Louis Van Gaal’s list of unavailable players does not seem to shrink with Ander Herrera joining the likes of Michael Carrick, Johnny Evans, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, James Wilson, Reece James, Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard in the injury list with a rib injury. Manchester United will also be without their captain Wayne Rooney who serves the first of his three-match ban after being suspended in the match against West Ham United last week.
Van Gaal has hinted youngster Paddy Mcnair will continue at the heart of the defence after a good outing last week. That would mean the back 4 from last match- Rafael, Mcnair, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw- are likely to continue against Everton. With Herrera out, Daren Fletcher is likely to come into the 3 man midfield alongside Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria. Marouane Fellaini is back in training and could make an appearance off the bench.
Van Gaal also has a decision to make on who would take Rooney’s role. Even though he has hinted Juan Mata would replace the United captain, Van Gaal might be tempted to give Adnan Januzaj a start. Upfront, RadamelFalcao and Robin Van Persie looks set to continue their partnership which seems to have started blossoming.
EVERTON:
Everton has their share of injury issues as well with Kevin Mirallas set to sit out with a hamstring injury sustained in the derby last week, while Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Sylvain Distin are touch and go.
Tony Hibbert would likely continue at right-back if Coleman does not pass the late medical while Bryan Oviedo also offers an option. Meanwhile, John Stones is likely to get the nod alongside Phil Jagielka in the heart of the defence even if Distin is passed fit, and Leighton Baines will occupy his usual berth at left-back.
If McCarthy could return on time he would partner Gareth Barry in midfield with Mohamed Besic and Leon Osman offering alternatives. Upfront, having been rested significantly during Thursday’s Europa League tie, Romelu Lukaku and Steven Naismith are likely to return to the line-up with the later playing the hole. In the flanks, Cristian Atsu, Aiden McGeady and Steven Pienaar would all be vying for a start.
STYLE OF PLAY EXPECTED:
With both teams luring way below in the tables, each of them would be hoping to seal a victory in what promises to be a cracker. With both sides having ample ammunition in attack and numerous issues with their defences, the match can be expected to be a goal fest.
Manchester United vs Everton PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-1-2): DE GEA; RAFAEL- MCNAIR- ROJO- SHAW; BLIND- FLETCHER- DI MARIA; MATA; FALCAO- VAN PERSIE.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): HOWARD; COLEMAN- STONES- JAGIELKA- BAINES; MCCARTHY- BARRY; MCGEADY-NAISMITH- OSMAN; LUKAKU.
Manchester United vs Everton MATCH FACTS:
- The Red Devils are hoping to win back-to-back league games for the first time under Louis van Gaal, and are chasing a third successive victory at Old Trafford.
- However, van Gaal will hope not to follow in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson and David Moyes, who both lost their first Premier League home games against Everton as United boss.
- Radamel Falcao has more assists in his two league games for United (two) than he managed in the previous three seasons (one).
- The Red Devils are hoping to win back-to-back league games for the first time under Louis van Gaal, and are chasing a third successive victory at Old Trafford.
- However, van Gaal will hope not to follow in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson and David Moyes, who both lost their first Premier League home games against Everton as United boss.
- Radamel Falcao has more assists in his two league games for United (two) than he managed in the previous three seasons (one).
Facts compiled from BBC
KEY PLAYERS:
JUAN MATA (MANCHESTER UNITED):
In the absence of Wayne Rooney, the Spaniard is set to earn his first start in 3 matches. With Van Gaal openly admitting being not entirely confident about his capabilities in midfield, Mata would be well aware that his place in the squad is under threat and would be eager to prove his ability as a playmaker. Playing as the link between two extremely stationary forwards and the rest of the team, the result of the match from United’s point of view would hugely depend on how Mata performs.
LEIGHTON BAINES (EVERTON):
The English national has consistently been one of Everton’s best players for a few years now. Against a United side that looks depleted at the back, Baines would be the most essential part of Everton’s plans not just for his defensive work-rate but more importantly for his set pieces and crosses from out wide which would be a huge threat, especially with the physical presence of Lukaku in the box.
Manchester United vs Everton PREDICTIONS:
MANCHESTER UNITED 2-2 EVERTON