Premier League: Everton vs Man United- A Preview

Everton vs Manchester United Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Everton and Manchester United will be eager to extend their recent unbeaten runs in the Premier League when they clash at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Gameweek 13 of the 2023/24 Premier League season will continue on Sunday, with two matches on show. The action will begin on Saturday when Tottenham Hotspur will host Aston Villa before ending at Goodison Park, where Everton and Manchester United will lock horns.

Everton picked up form ahead of the international break, losing only once in five Premier League games. That run of results had lifted them to 14th on the table before a ten-point deduction brought them back into the drop zone. The sanction has left Sean Dyche displeased, but the Toffees must take it in their stride and try to produce an escape act in the coming months.

On the other hand, Manchester United have been dreadful thus far this term, losing as many games as they have won. They suffered another shock result ahead of the international break after losing to FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League. But the Red Devils have somehow stitched the best run of form in all of the Premier League, winning four of their last five matches.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Manchester United come from a goal down to beat Everton 2-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winner. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Sean Dyche has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Sunday, the Everton manager might only be bereft of the services of two first-team players.

Seamus Coleman (match fitness) and Amadou Onana (calf) are closing in on returning to action. The duo will face late fitness tests to determine their availability. But Sunday’s game has come too soon for the duo.

Meanwhile, Andre Gomes is back on the field after recovering from a calf injury. But Dele Alli remains on the sidelines due to his ongoing battle with a groin issue. Otherwise, Dyche has a full-strength squad to take on Manchester United this weekend.

Jordan Pickford is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Everton lining up in a 4-4-1-1 formation in front of him. The defensive unit should feature Ashley Young, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Vitaliy Mykolenko. Branthwaite reportedly features on Manchester United’s radar, and the Red Devils should get a closer look at him on Sunday.

As for the midfield unit, former Manchester United midfielder James Garner will be out to prove a point on Sunday. The Englishman will line up alongside Idrissa Gueye in the middle of the park. The duo will look to keep things tight, with Garner initiating quick transitions.

Jack Harrison will take his spot on the right flank, with Dwight McNeil featuring on the left wing. Finally, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will spearhead the Everton attack against Manchester United, with Abdoulaye Doucoure playing behind him, looking to unleash ghosting runs into the box.

Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Garner, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin

Manchester United

Unlike his counterpart in the Everton dugout, Erik ten Hag has new fitness issues hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. The Manchester United manager will be without at least eight first-team players on Sunday.

Mason Mount (calf) and Christian Eriksen (knee) are the latest absentees, with the duo out for the foreseeable future. Mount and Eriksen have joined Lisandro Martinez (foot), Jonny Evans (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Casemiro (hamstring), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Rasmus Hojlund, who picked up a hamstring injury ahead of the international break against Luton Town. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Facundo Pellistri should shrug off their respective issues to be available.