Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday
Manchester United may have picked up four points in their last two Premier League games, both of them from losing positions, but they have something to prove after squandering two points late on to Chelsea and then submitting to Juventus in midweek.
That performance against the Italian champions left the Old Trafford support disappointed and they will be hoping for a better showing from their side when Marco Silva and Everton come to M16 on Sunday.
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United desperately need to put a run of results together in the league since they sit in 10th place heading into the weekend, and with a tricky trip to in-form Bournemouth and then the first Manchester derby of the season at the Etihad Stadium to come in their next two fixtures, the visit of the Toffees a must-win encounter.
Jose Mourinho bemoaned his lack of resources in midweek after refusing to use any of his substitutes in the 1-0 defeat to Juve and will be hoping that he has more to choose from on Sunday.
Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Scott McTominay, Diogo Dalot and Marouane Fellaini all missed out in midweek, with Marcos Rojo also short of fitness despite having returned to full training recently.
Sanchez could be back in contention for Everton’s visit, and so too Lingard. Fellaini and McTominay both picked up injuries on international duty, as did Dalot.
United have no suspension worries, and the same is true of Everton. Similarly, neither side is set to lose any players to suspension should they be booked on Sunday.
Mourinho will be glad for the extra 24 hours afforded by the relatively late switch in kick-off times as that could free up one or two extra players to return from injury and take their places in the starting line-up.
One big decision he faces either way is the inclusion or otherwise of ex-Everton striker Romelu Lukaku after the manager admitted in the week that the Belgian’s form is a concern and a lack of confidence in front of goal is also affecting his play elsewhere on the field. Lukaku’s presence in the starting XI may depend on options out wide becoming more plentiful so that Marcus Rashford or Alexis Sanchez can step in at number nine.
Antonio Valencia could step into the side after missing out in midweek, while Mourinho could change the shape back to a 4-3-3 if he decides that Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira or Fred is worthy of a recall.
Everton arrive at Old Trafford on a run of three straight victories which have seen them climb above United into eighth position. Of last season’s top six, the Toffees have only faced Arsenal so far and lost at the Emirates Stadium thanks to quickfire goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang early in the second half, so they will be hoping for a better return at the Theatre of Dreams.
Marco Silva seems to be gradually making his imprint on the Everton side after finally making the move to Goodison in the summer following a protracted attempt for his signature last autumn before the club eventually recruited Sam Allardyce for their battle against relegation.
Last time out substitutes Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun made all the difference with late goals against Crystal Palace, while Gylfi Sigurddson and Richarlison have racked up four goals each so far this term.
Former United defender Michael Keane has impressed of late at the back for the Merseysiders, and he will be looking to leave an impression at his former home on Sunday.
The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 4:00pm GMT on Sunday following Saturday night’s switchover from British Summer Time, with live coverage available in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 3:30pm. In the U.S. the game will be shown on NBCSN at 12:00pm ET.