Manchester United will be hoping for redemption when they host Everton at the Old Trafford. United’s top four hopes are lying on the result of this match as any further mishap would compel them to take the Europa League way to take part in the Champions League next season.
Everton lost their Merseyside derby with Liverpool and will try to bounce back in this match. United have gone 19 games without a loss but too many draws have hampered their chances to compete in the Champions League next season. They have played 11 draws till now and among them, eight have come at the Old Trafford.
On the other hand, Everton’s form in 2017 has been extremely impressive and the Toffees have lost points on just three occasions and have looked far sharper than before. A victory at the Old Trafford would level them on points with United but the Red Devils have two games in hand.
In the last 23 League meetings at the Old Trafford, United have just lost once and that too under former Toffees manager David Moyes in 2013. Romelu Lukau has a very poor record against United and the Belgian striker has been accused several times that he fails to turn up in big matches.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Manchester United
Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both will be available after serving their respective suspensions and are expected to start from the beginning. Paul Pogba has started training and might get some game time if Jose Mourinho wants to check his fitness. Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling all are nursing injury and will remain sidelined.
De Gea; Valencia, Rojo, Bailly, Valencia; Carrick, Herrera; Martial, Mkhitaryan, Lingard; Ibrahimovic
Everton
Ronald Koeman has a few injury concerns and has already admitted that he will take the defensive route in this match. Ramiro Funes Mori, Morgan Schneiderlin and James McCarthy are suffering from injuries and are unlikely to feature while Seamus Coleman’s leg break during the international break has put him in serious condition.
Robles; Holgate, Jagielka, Williams, Baines; Gueye, Barry, Davies; Barkley, Lukaku, Calvert-Lewin.
Key Players
Manchester United
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The return of the prolific striker will give Mourinho a temporary relief. Marcus Rashford has failed to fill the void in Zlatan’s absence and the gaffer will immediately reinstate the 35-year-old Swede to the starting lineup. Two of the Everton first team defenders will be absent from this match and Zlatan will try to take advantage of this situation.
Everton
Ross Barkley
It’s time for him to step up on this big occasion. He had a very poor match against Liverpool and will try to rectify his mistake by putting up a superlative display against the Red Devils.
