Manchester United vs Everton Match Preview: Kick-off time, TV Channel, Team News and Score Prediction

Erik ten Hag’s Reds kick off their FA Cup campaign facing Everton at Old Trafford in the third round of the competition.

Competition: FA Cup 3rd Round
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick Off: 20:00 UK Time
TV Channel: N/A

How do Manchester United Look?

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Manchester United continued their good post-World Cup form with a convincing 3-0 victory over Bournemouth with a rotated side. United controlled the majority of the game and scored three quality goals. Summer signing Casemiro netted his first Old Trafford goal, getting on the end of a Christian Eriksen set-piece delivery. Luke Shaw scored the second, initiating a counter-attacking move by combining with Marcus Rashford on the left before spreading the ball wide and making his way into the box to finish off Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback. Rashford got himself on the scoresheet late in the game, tapping into an empty net after a pass from Bruno Fernandes. The Englishman has now scored in four consecutive games for the first time in his career and will hope to continue his scoring form against a struggling Everton team.

Ten Hag will be looking to field a strong line-up after the rotations against Bournemouth with World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane expected to take their places back in the starting XI. Diogo Dalot made his return off the bench against Bournemouth after a hamstring injury kept him side-lined. It will be interesting to see who Ten Hag starts given the form of Aaron wan-Bissaka.

Antony has been back at Carrington this week after not being included in the squad against Bournemouth due to injury. Jadon Sancho will continue his individual training before being reintegrated back into the squad.

Opponents: Everton

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Frank Lampard’s Everton are going through a tough period as they make the trip up to Old Trafford. The Toffees haven’t won a competitive match since October and find themselves in 18^th place in the league. Their most recent game was a 4-1 loss to Brighton at home that summed up their season so far. With pressure building on Lampard an FA Cup run could be something that his side target to help build momentum and boost morale. Everton will be hoping to pull off a shock victory and show a statement of intent to their fans.

One of the players that has been consistently performing well under Lampard is Alexander Iwobi. The winger-turned-midfielder has been showing his quality throughout the season despite Everton’s struggles. The Nigerian has racked up a goal and five assists in the Premier League so far, with his one strike coming against United earlier in the season. Another threat Everton possess is that of Demarai Gray. The tricky winger will look to cause problems for United’s defence with his direct dribbling style and his eye for goal. Despite Everton’s form Gray has netted in their last two games.

Key stats

Manchester United last won the FA Cup in 2016.

Everton have scored the third least goals in the Premier League this season.

Everton have won just one of their last 29 away games against Man Utd in all competitions (all in the Premier League), winning 1-0 in December. This is their first away game against them in the FA Cup since a 1-0 loss in the 1982-83 quarter-final.

Prediction

Manchester United’s red-hot form seems like it will continue in this game. Marcus Rashford is playing at his best and will be eager to continue his run of scoring. Casemiro is also playing well stopping opposition moves in the midfield and even starting some of United’s forward play. With Varane and Martinez also likely to return the starting line-up The Reds’ defence should be strong enough to keep Everton’s attacks out. Playing against Premier League opposition is never easy though and anything can happen in the FA Cup so Erik ten Hag’s side should still be wary.

Manchester United 2-0 Everton