Match Preview : Everton vs Manchester United

Everton vs Manchester United|01.03.2020|K.O 14:00 GMT|Goodison Park

Anytime Manchester United travel to Merseyside, the stakes are high and winning means much more than just three points.

This season, the match can be used to help judge United’s progress from last year, given the abysmal performance and 4-0 defeat away to Everton last year.

Solskjaer questioned a number of his players following that match, and vowed to be successful at the club, whether those playing would be there or not. He appears to be slowly achieving his goal, steadily improving the team, with United looking to finish the season strong in the Champions League spots.

How do Manchester United look?

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Just as things were looking good for United on the injury front, Anthony Martial missed Thursday’s match against Brugge, and it isn’t clear when he will return.

On Martial, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said “He went off [during] training yesterday [Wednesday] and had treatment,”, adding “He reported this morning and had a fitness test. It’s not his hamstring, it’s his thigh, in and around the knee.”

It is, as for now, unknown if Martial will be fit to face Everton, most likely making Mason Greenwood and Odion Ighalo United’s only strike options at Goodison.

Paul Pogba returned to training at Carrington this week and is rumoured to be targeting a return against Manchester City next week, so will not be involved on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford is still unavailable as he will be for the majority of the season.

Scott McTominay started his first game of the calendar year on Thursday, and capped off an impressive performance with a goal, so he will be expected to play again this weekend.

Opposition: Everton

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Everton have impressed recently, following the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, and find themselves 11^th in the league, just five points behind United.

The club have looked resurgent under the three-time Champions League winner, The Toffees are one of the most inform sides in the league, having lost just two of their first ten league games whilst Ancelotti has been in charge.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 12 Premier League goals this season, including 7 in 10 under the new boss, whilst boasting an impressive scoring rate of a goal every 146 minutes this season.

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The host’s line-up in a throwback 4-4-2 formation, with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison forming a strong partnership together, whilst Yerry Mina and Michael Keane have looked strong at the back.

Ex-United man Morgan Schneiderlin has been reintroduced to the Everton side, and has seen a change in fortunes in terms of his performances for his club, and will most probably be utilised in a defensive midfield role to offer extra cover for his back four.

Key Stats: United v Everton

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United lost 4-0 against Everton in this fixture last season and was most definitely The Reds’ worst performance under Solskjaer.

However, before that match, The Toffees hadn’t beaten United since 2015, a run of nine matches without a victory.

United are now seven games unbeaten, having conceded just once in that time, so enter the game on top form, and will be hopeful of a victory to keep their impressive record and run going.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Everton. Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo with the goals.