Match Previews

Match Preview: Everton vs Manchester United

Goal

It was an underwhelming Champions League exit for United in Barcelona midweek, as they now aim to qualify for the competition, as Everton are up next.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has now only won two of his five games since becoming permanent boss with Marco Silva turning the screw on Merseyside.

Easter could be a treat for both these teams looking to bounce back from previous losses.

Kick-off: 13:30 [GMT]

Venue: Goodison Park

Referee: Paul Tierney

UK television channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League

Reverse fixture: United 2-1 Everton (Pogba, Martial) (Sigurðsson)

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The Toffees

Position: 9th

Recent form: LWWWL

Top scorer: Richarlison [12]

Most assists: Lucas Digne/Gylfi Sigurðsson [4]

One to watch: André Gomes

Previous result: Fulham 2-0 Everton

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Talking points

Almost completing a quadruple of victories over London opposition, a trip to the capital resulted in the most unlikely of outcomes – a shock defeat.

In that Craven Cottage meeting, Red Devils loanee Timothy Fosu-Mensah sustained a knee ligament which will require surgery so is returning from Fulham to his parent club.

However, wins against Chelsea, West Ham United, and Arsenal prior to the Fulham loss has given the Toffees renewed confidence.

At Goodison Park, Everton have drawn with local rivals Liverpool as well as those victories against the London teams so will be looking make it four undefeated games in the bounce against big six sides.

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return) 

  • Yerry Mina – hamstring (one week)

Expected lineup

(4-2-3-1) Pickford; Coleman, Zouma, Keane, Digne; Gueye, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurðsson, Bernard; Richarlison

Quote from the boss

“We have big respect for Manchester United, but if we can reach the level we have reached in our last three home games it will be really tough for them. – Marco Silva

Next match: Crystal Palace [A] 27/4

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The Red Devils

Talking points

No new memories were made in Camp Nou on Tuesday, as Barcelona hit three past United to knock the Reds out of the competition with a whimper.

Lionel Messi punished Ashley Young and David De Gea while former Liverpool man Phillipe Coutinho produced some magic to finish things off.

Solskjær admitted the Catalan giants “were a couple of levels above over the two games” – certainly a fair assessment.

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As talk of a Director of Football rumbles on, the manager assured supporters that “there will be signings this summer.”

Speaking of summer, The Sun broke an exclusive story on Friday which claimed Scott McTominay would not be leaving the club during the next transfer window.

While on Saturday, The Telegraph claimed that former Toffee Romelu Lukaku may be one to depart in the coming month with his representative firmly putting him in the shop window.

Earlier in the week, the club’s Women’s team achieved promotion in their maiden campaign. Casey Stoney’s side will now compete in the Super League next season and on Saturday, they secured the title with a 7-0 victory, making it 49 points from 18 games.

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The focus for the male Red Devils will be finishing inside of the Premier League top four as a Manchester Derby looms next Wednesday.

In spite of a poor run since the turn of the decade, United have won two of their last three top-flight games at Goodison Park – drawing once in 2015-16.

Three wins and one draw in their past four games at Goodison Park means the reds will be looking to make it a Mersey Paradise once again.

Team news

Luke Shaw will complete the final game of his suspension for 10 league yellow cards, so will miss out.

That would have boded well for the struggling Ashley Young as the 33-year-old may have been guaranteed a spot but the Manchester Evening News claimed that he has not travelled to Merseyside.

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If David De Gea, Chris Smalling or Phil Jones start, they would be the surviving members of former blues boss David Moyes’ final match in charge of the reds back at Goodison Park, five years ago on Easter Sunday.

Eric Bailly, Ander Herrera, and Antonio Valencia have all returned to training but not be fit enough to feature in the squad.

In his press conference, Solskjær claimed some players needed a “reality check” and that there is “no hiding place” at the club.

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Mason Greenwood came off the bench late on in the last league match against West Ham United and his first team manager made it clear that he ‘to give him the chance to become a top player at this club.’

The 17 year-old versatile forward boasts a staggering 46 goals and 13 assists in 44 U18-23 games in 2018-19 but is not in the travelling squad this time around.

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Eric Bailly – head (back in training)
  • Ander Herrera – muscle (back in training)
  • Antonio Valencia – calf (back in training)

Expected lineup

(4-1-2-1-2) De Gea; Dalot, Smalling, Lindelöf, Rojo; Matić; McTominay, Fred; Pogba; Lukaku, Rashford

Quote from the boss

“We’re working with a fantastic staff to create this culture. We want players to take ownership of what’s happening here as well, but the performance on the pitch will determine where they’re at.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjær

 Next match: Manchester City [H] 24/4

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Potential key battles

– Richarlison vs Victor Lindelöf

– Idrissa Gana Gueye vs Paul Pogba

– Michael Keane vs Marcus Rashford

Match facts [credit: FotMob]

  • Everton have lost more Premier League games against United than any side has against another in the history of the competition (36)
  • United scored their 100th Premier League goal against Everton in a 2-1 victory, making them just the second side to net 100+ goals against a single opponent in the competition (Arsenal, also against Everton)
  • The Toffee’s only previous league win, and the Red Devils’ only previous league defeat on Easter Sunday came in this exact fixture in the 2013-14 season (2-0)
  • Anthony Martial boasts a record of five goals and two assists in six appearances against Everton, only scoring more for United against West Ham
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjær netted nine goals on 10 Premier League outings against the Toffees for the Red Devils, lifting the title at Goodison Park in 2003

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Enjoy the match!



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