Everton vs Man U will be the last fixture before Manchester United break into yet another international break for two weeks. After a shock Premier League loss to Arsenal in their backyard this week, the Red Devils were beaten in the UEFA Champions League by Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. as well.
And if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was planning on easing into the international break with a customary league win, he is up for an uphill task. Sitting fourth in the points table, Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton have had one of their best Premier League starts in a long time and the star-studded side will be desperate to prove their mettle against Manchester United on Saturday.
This will be the 204th Everton vs Man U clash with Manchester United winning 88 of the previous 203 encounters. While 45 face-offs between them have ended in draws, Everton have beaten Manchester United 70 times.
EVERTON
Since Everton’s massive 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season, Everton have managed to win against Crystal Palace, West Ham United, and Brighton. However, after holding defending champions Liverpool to a 2-2 draw before the first international break Everton have mellowed down. The absence of James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Lucas Digne have seen the side losing to Southampton and Newcastle United, respectively. While Ancelotti is sweating to get Rodriguez fit for the United clash, he will welcome Lucas Digne back from suspension. Apart from Richarlison, who continues to serve his three-game suspension, Everton will also be without defenders Seamus Coleman and Mason Holgate, and midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United boss Solskjaer will have a torrid international break if he drops points in this fixture. With fans’ demanding a managerial change and Mauricio Pochettino available, the former United player will hope to put all the rumours behind on Saturday. Manchester United will continue to be without Jesse Lingard and Eric Bailly, who are sidelined with injuries. United fans are still waiting to get a glimpse of Alex Telles in the Premier League, who has missed the last few games after testing positive for COVID-19. A huge boost, however, will be the return of Anthony Martial after missing three games due to a red card.
PREDICTED XI
Everton (4-3-3): Jordan Pickford, Jonjoe Kenny, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alex Iwobi
Manchester United (4-3-3): David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial
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