Managerial change can always create a spark in any team. Take a look at Everton for instance. Goodison Park has changed from a depressing arena of uncertainty to a place of tentative hope. A month back, Everton were the bogey side teams were craving to face. In the space of a few weeks, the scenario at Merseyside looks different.
After an active summer where the club spent a fortune to bring in world famous talents, the club was expected to have a crack at the top six. Things turned horrific as Everton were beaten by sides both above and below their quality.
As their form slumped down through a never-ending spiral, it saw the hammer fall on their ex-boss Ronald Koeman. Koeman’s sacking did little to change the club’s fortunes as they became the league’s bashing boys.
Even in the Europa League, four defeats in six matches in the group stage condemned the side to a third-placed finish and European humiliation coupled with domestic crisis meant that the summer that promised so much had faded away into the dark dearth of the desert.
However, as the fans and pundits stood to wait for Everton to disappear into the lower leagues, the board appointed Sam Allardyce as the new manager. Big Sam has a history of turning around fortunes for a club in crisis.
Big Sam has become a specialist of sorts in the league when it comes to saving teams from relegation having done it with Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the previous two seasons.
He had a good start to his Toffees career by beating Huddersfield Town 2-0 and has only suffered one defeat in his eight matches in charge. He has lifted the blue team of Merseyside from a relegation threat to a respectable mid-table position.
Having suffered his first defeat as Everton manager against Bournemouth, here is how he will look to line up his team for the big match against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Jordan Pickford will be expected in goal. The heart of the defence is likely to be marshalled by Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane, with the latter returning to good form under Big Sam
The right-back position will be monitored again by Jonjoe Kenny with Cuco Martina at left back.
Midfield
A midfield base of Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye can be expected. The number 10 role is likely to go to Wayne Rooney, for whom it will be an emotional outing. The left flank is likely to be operated by Gylfi Sigurðsson with the right wing occupied by Aaron Lennon.
Attack
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be expected to lead the line for Everton.
