Manchester United vs Everton preview
The games are coming thick and fast in the Premier League. For Manchester United, hosting Everton is their third game this week. Sean Dyche’s Everton played with 10 men against Tottenham just four days before this game on April.
No game at this point in the season is a dead rubber. For these two teams, it is of supreme importance. Manchester United seek to get their league campaign back on track. The Red Devils woke up from their scoring slump to brush aside Brentford at home 1-0. A win here would solidify their grip on that precious Champions League place while maintaining pressure on Newcastle for 3rd.
Everton, on the other hand, have started drifting away from the relegation zone since Sean Dyche tightened up the team. Like a proper Dyche team, Everton make it difficult for opponents, regardless of who they are. A renewed defensive solidity, combined with United’s allergy to scoring recently makes this encounter at Old Trafford an intriguing watch.
Manchester United vs Everton – Team news
Manchester United are nearing full strength again. After missing Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial for large parts of the season, the latter has come back in encouraging form while the former is a potential inclusion on Saturday.
However, it is one step forward, and two back for United. Luke Shaw picked up a muscle injury against Brentford. He is unlikely to feature, joining Casemiro on the sidelines as he closes in on the end of his four-game suspension.
Ten Hag on Luke Shaw: 'I can't say in this moment (what the injury is). I have to wait for tomorrow, what the diagnosis is, I took him straight off, didn't want to risk. But we have to wait what's the outcome.' #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 5, 2023
Erik ten Hag might have to rotate slightly to account for fatigue, especially in midfield. Expect Fred to start after consecutive games for Sabitzer and McTominay. Bruno is ever-present and Rashford is a sure starter too. Varane might be nearing the red zone so this could be good game to play Maguire to deal with Everton’s aerial threat.
Martial is expected to make his first start since returning from injury after consecutive sparkling cameos off the bench.
Manchester United predicted lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia McTominay, Fred, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
For Everton, the injury slate looks a lot clear. Andros Townsend is a long-term absentee with an ACL injury, He is joined on the sidelines by Dominic Calvert-Lewin who is dealing with a hamstring issue. There are no other injury worries for them.
The latest team news ahead of #MUNEVE. 🗣
Watch live: https://t.co/nyHkLD8MKu pic.twitter.com/JPmG445JH3
— Everton (@Everton) April 6, 2023
However, they’ll miss their midfield maverick, Abdoulaye Doucoure. He was sent off against Tottenham for a debatable foul on Harry Kane. He is suspended for three games.
Everton predicted lineup: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Iwobi, Davies, Onana, Gray, Maupay
Manchester United vs Everton – Key players
Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez – Manchester United
28 goals and counting. Marcus Rashford has become nigh-on unstoppable since returning from the international break. With a newfound finishing edge to his game, he has developed the striker’s instinct of smelling where the goal is.
His goal against Brentford spoke of a player playing with full confidence. Erik ten Hag would be keen to test Keane and Tarkowski in a foot race against Rashford and Martial in a fluid attacking system.
A morning message from our 28-goal striker 😍
Take it away, @MarcusRashford 🤳@TeamViewer ↔️ #BringingYouCloser pic.twitter.com/omFStvkmn0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 6, 2023
At the back, Lisandro Martinez’s ball-progression skills remain invaluable in the absence of Eriksen. His line-breaking progressive passes from the deep cut through the press regularly. Against an Everton side expected to sit back and hit United on the counter through Gray and Co., Martinez progressing the ball, and creating overloads, would be crucial.
Seamus Coleman & Amadou Onana – Everton
The 34-year-old RB is expected to be tasked with stopping Rashford. He should have plenty of help from the industrious Iwobi but if Rashford gets him one-on-one, then that duel could decide the outcome of the match. On the attacking front, he will need to put a marker down on United’s backup LB, Tyrell Malacia, by pushing him back with his forward runs. Then it’s up to the midfield to make those runs count.
If United can be had anywhere in the absence of Casemiro and Eriksen, it’s the midfield. Amadou Onana has impressed for Everton since signing, even though the club has been in turbulent times. An all-action midfielder who is a handful at both ends, Onana’s dynamism could be tough to deal with for United’s second-choice options.
Manchester United vs Everton prediction
Manchester United under Erik ten Hag just don’t lose at home anymore. While these could be famous last words, Everton’s situation, combined with United’s resurgence in the Premier League means they should be expected to win.
Look for Rashford to continue his hot form as Everton are blanked and United continue their successful streak of home games in the PL. FootTheBall predicts Manchester United 2-0 Everton.