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Everton vs Manchester United
Time – India: 06:00 PM; UK: 12:30 PM (Saturday)
Venue – Goodison Park
Referee – Paul Tierney
The speculation surrounding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future as Manchester United manager forms the backdrop for this big Premier League game on Merseyside on Saturday.
Manchester United are coming into the clash on the back of two demoralising defeats and have lost three of their opening six Premier League games, all at home.
They are lying 15th in the league table and there is widespread speculation that a defeat at Goodison Park could spell the end of Solskjaer’s reign as Manchester United manager.
Elsewhere, Everton’s breezy start to the season has also been halted and they have lost their last two league games as well. But the Toffees are likely to fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways against a Manchester United side who are clearly struggling for confidence.
The silver lining for the Red Devils – they have not lost a league game away from home since January.
Everton vs Manchester United: Head-to-Head
Total games: 203
Everton wins: 70
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Manchester United wins: 88
Draws: 45
Manchester United have an overall superior record against Everton since their first meeting in 1892 in a league game.
But the Red Devils have not beaten them in their last three meetings. Everton beat them 4-0 at Goodison Park in April 2019 and both their games in the league last season were 1-1 draws.
Manchester United’s last win at Goodison Park came in January 2018.
Everton vs Manchester United: Recent form
Everton: L-L-D-W-W
Manchester United: L-L-W-D-W
Everton are coming into the game on the back of two defeats in the Premier League. Their early season form has gradually evaporated after they missed two key players in Lucas Digne and Richalirson to suspensions.
On the other hand, Defeats to Arsenal and more gallingly, at Istanbul Basaksehir, have left Manchester United searching for confidence. They have won just two of their opening six Premier League games thus far.
Everton vs Manchester United: Team news
Everton
The Merseyside outfit are expecting to have James Rodriguez back in the team after he missed their defeat against Southampton last weekend due to an injury. Lucas Digne will be back in action as well after his three-game suspension was reduced to one.
Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman and Ben Godfrey are all doubtful and their fitness will be assessed ahead of the game.
Manchester United
Anthony Martial is again available for selection in the league after serving his three-match suspension. Victor Lindelof is also expected to be in the starting XI after recovering from a minor back problem.
Alex Telles will need to return a negative coronavirus test before he can return to the squad.
Everton vs Manchester United: Probable XI
Everton: Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne; Doucoure, Allan, Sigurdsson; Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Everton vs Manchester United: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: BT Sport 1
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: BT Sport App
Everton vs Manchester United: Prediction
Both teams are coming into the game on the back of two defeats but Everton are likely to be the more confident side playing at home. With James Rodriguez expected to start and the prolific Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line, the Toffees will fancy their chances against a low on confidence Red Devils defence.
Manchester United have been scarred in the last week and there are now question marks over the future Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the club. The manager will want his players to rise to the occasion on Merseyside but it is likely to be another bruising encounter.
At the moment, a Manchester United defeat seems more likely than a rousing comeback.
Everton vs Manchester United predicted scoreline: 2-1
Also Read: Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 Manchester United: 3 things we learned | Champions League 2020-21
