United dropped points last week, can they get back to winning ways against the Toffees?
Wayne Rooney returns to Old Trafford as an opposition player for the first time in over 13 years when Everton visit Premier League leaders Manchester United for what is expected to be an emotional game on Sunday.
However, don’t expect the Red Devils to give their all-time top scorer any leeway once the action begins, for the home side are widely expected to cruise to victory.
United are in great shape while Everton’s form has nose dived in recent weeks to give the hosts a significant psychological edge.
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Toffees manager Ronald Koeman will have to pull out a rabbit from his hat if the visitors are to come away from Manchester with even a point as the odds are heavily against them.
United have been sensational in attack so far, but Paul Pogba’s hamstring injury has complicated matters somewhat.
Fans want Ander Herrera to start but after Marouane Fellaini’s heroics in midweek, Jose Mourinho may be tempted to pick the gangly Belgian as Nemanja Matic’s partner in midfield.
Up front, Romelu Lukaku continues to plunder goals and, against his old club, will be looking to extend his purple patch.
Key in almost every attack has been Henrikh Mkhitaryan this season, with the Armenian leading the league with five assists. And the likes of Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford will look to give him and Lukaku quality service.
Talking Corner: I think sometimes the word ‘legend’ is used too easily but that’s not this case. He’s a real legend in the club~Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Wayne Rooney (MUTV)
Injury concerns: Paul Pogba (hamstring), Marcos Rojo (knee) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee)
Suspension Alert: None
After a bright start, it all started to go horribly for Everton and Ronald Koeman seems to be at a loss for words.
Club-record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney have failed to click as expected. And with the duo misfiring, the Toffees have sunk to to three consecutive losses (all competitions). They have scored just two goals in four league games and while their defence has been decent, you can’t win matches if you don’t score goals.
Unless their attacking department sorts their issues out, the Toffees will continue to struggle, and Everton fans best prepare themselves for another hammering.
Talking Corner: We need to stand up, we need to change our attitude, we need to be more aggressive against United~Everton manager Ronald Koeman (evertontv)
Injury concerns: Yannick Bolasie (knee), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Seamus Coleman (fractured leg), Ross Barkley (hamstring) and James McCarthy (knee)
Suspension Alert: None
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