Premier League Preview: Manchester United v Everton

Premier League Preview: Manchester United v Everton
14:41, 15 Sep 2017

Manchester United face another test this weekend when Everton travel from Merseyside to Old Trafford in attempt to get their domestic season back on track.

Kick-off: September 17, 16:00; Venue: Old Trafford; Referee: Andre Marriner; Channel: Sky Sports

Mourinho’s men dropped points for the first time this season last weekend after a trip to Stoke City resulted in a 2-2 draw. It was the only time this season that United looked suspect in defence and the Potters took advantage with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scoring a brace.

The Bet365 Stadium, however, is renowned as a difficult ground to go to and pick up three points. In their only other home game this season, Stoke shocked everyone by beating Arsenal 1-0 when new loanee signing Jese scored the only goal. Mark Hughes’ side is one to watch this season for upsets.

Everton, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to the season. They may have beaten Stoke at Goodison, but they’re yet to win another game after defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs while picking up an important point against Manchester City.

It remains to be seen — after a decent summer — whether Ronald Koeman can utilise his new group of players and gel them together quickly. If the Dutch manager can make them click in the opening months, there’s no reason why Everton can’t challenge the top Premier League clubs.

Michael Keane will return to Old Trafford where he came through as a youth graduate before Louis van Gaal agreed to sell the player to Burnley. It was under the management of Sean Dyche that Keane became an England international and earned a move worth approximately £30m to Goodison Park.

Moreover, Keane was a target for United before Mourinho opted to sign former Benfica defender Victor Lindelof. The Everton defender will get a good reception at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Team News

Ex-Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini returned to action midway as United beat FC Basel 3-0 at Old Trafford. The Belgian, who was missed last weekend against Stoke City, returned to score his first ever Uefa Champions League goal.

However, Fellaini was used as a first-half substitution to replace an injured Paul Pogba. Just 18-minutes into the game, Pogba pulled up with a hamstring injury and is now expected to be out for a month. That should see Ander Herrera make his second start of the season after being left out of the squad for their Champions League clash against FC Basel in midweek.

Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly will return to the starting eleven after not featuring in Europe, while Romelu Lukaku will face his former club for the first time since moving to Old Trafford.

It will be no surprise to see Everton manager Ronald Koeman make an array of changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday — especially the likes of Idriss Gueye, Jordan Pickford, Ashley Williams and Sandro Ramirez. Of course, Rooney will be desperate to play against United after leaving the club during the summer.

Morgan Schneiderlin is another ex-Red returning to Old Trafford this weekend but his poor form may warrant an exclusion from the starting line-up. 

View From A Fan - Scott Morris, editor of Read Everton freelance journalist at 101 Great Goals

Where do you see Everton in May? 

“As it stands, in an awful position both in the Premier League and just generally speaking. The positivity of the summer has been sucked out of the club quicker than anyone could have imagined and been replaced with extreme negativity from all corners of the supporters. If Ronald Koeman doesn’t find the right system and a way of getting results soon, it could well be a season of fighting just to finish top ten.”

Do you think it was a good idea to resign Wayne Rooney given his performances have been below par for years and he’s never been shy of off-field antics?

“I think his recent performances have shown that it may have been a move made with the clubs heart rather than their head. We all know what Wayne is capable of and he has shown some very decent spells in the few games he has played but it’s still not up to the standard we as a club are looking for. Doesn’t offer anything in attack, doesn’t offer much in midfield.” 

What sort of relationship does Ronald Koeman have with the fans?

“It has been a good one since he took over the club from Roberto Martinez, with his no nonsense attitude striking a chord with the Goodison faithful. Though, the recent results have changed that and there are certainly a lot of questions for him to answer. The poor performances of late come down to tactical setup as well as the small things such as enough match preparation and that has had an awful lot of fans calling for his head. Koeman did admit that the defeat to Atalanta was his fault, but if things don’t change soon, he might not see out the rest of the year.”

How do Everton fans look back on David Moyes?

“I wouldn’t say fans have any hate for David Moyes in the slightest, he was the best thing that had happened to the club for a good while having avoided relegation then taking us back to where we belong, fighting at the top of the table. With that being said, he’s in the past, much like his footballing tactics. His dinosaur esque setups would leave much to desire in the modern game and all we think of David Moyes now is he did a decent job with us, but that’s in the past.”

Does it hurt seeing Red Rom in a United shirt?

“It does, immensely. I personally didn’t think it would hurt so much, but seeing Everton this season without him really does make you think if we had held onto him. I think everyone understood his decision though, he had stayed with us probably one year longer than he should have realistically but it was always going to come. Easily the best striker I’ve seen in my lifetime at Everton. If only we would have actually replaced him, though.”

Pre-match prediction?

“I can’t help but be extremely negative going into this one, United the in form team, Everton the most out of form team you can get. 4-0 Man United, Lukaku brace.”

Prediction

United will get back to winning ways but it’s never easy against Everton and they have a lot to prove after a dreadful start in terms of results, despite not having it easy up against difficult opposition. 

This weekend is no different for Koeman’s men and with Wayne Rooney facing a court hearing the next day, will the former England captain be in the right state of mine? 

Like his Everton teammate, Michael Keane, Rooney will get a good reception from the Old Trafford support — especially from those with short memories who’ve done their utmost to forget about his infamous transfer requests. 

Manchester United 2-1 Everton

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