Manchester United v Everton: Predicted line-ups, stats, preview

David Moyes will be desperate for a win after two successive draws

David Moyes entertains Everton knowing a win could see United leapfrog the Toffees into the top five and finally begin a serious title challenge.Despite being only two points apart there’s been contrasting fortunes for the two clubs as Roberto Martinez has taken Everton to a new level, while Moyes has struggled to find the consistency expected at the current champions.

Back to back draws have taken the gloss of United’s win over Arsenal in the last league game at Old Trafford, but with a run of fixtures coming up against sides the Reds could and perhaps should be beating, Moyes knows a win against Everton may just be the start of run that finally stops the vultures from circling.

Roberto Martinez will be hoping Romelu Lukaku can continue his blistering form so far this season and achieve the sort of result that makes people start looking at Everton as more than just a top five side.

Team news:

Manchester United

Robin Van Persie is still a doubt for the champions although with the form Wayne Rooney’s in United could be forgiven for feeling confident even without the Dutchman in the line up. Michael Carrick is still injured while Phil Jones is suspended following his booking at White Hart Lane, giving Moyes something of a midfield headache…perhaps it’s time for a tall former Evertonian to step up to the plate.

Everton

United’s future left back Leighton Baines is out with a fractured toe while former United midfielder Darron Gibson and long term injury Arouna Kone are also out for the Toffees.

Possible Line-Ups

Manchester United

Much may depend on whether Van Persie is fit as to how the Reds set up but should the Dutchman be unavailable then the forward four of Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa that played against Spurs could start again. With no Jones or Carrick, we could see Ryan Giggs return to the starting line up at the tender age of 40.

4-2-3-1: David De Gea, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Patrice Evra, Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Adnan Januzaj, Shinji Kagawa, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney.

Everton

Roberto Martinez may be tempted to stick with the same side which battered Stoke City which could mean another start for teenage sensation Gerard Deulofeu. Martinez will know that travelling to Old Trafford is a different proposition than entertaining Stoke but with confidence high amongst his players- who’ve managed to surprise everyone by gatecrashing the top four- the Everton boss may be loathe to make too many changes.

4-2-3-1: Tim Howard, Séamus Coleman, Sylvian Distin, Phil Jagielka, Bryan Oviedo, Gareth Barry, James McCarthy, Gerard Deulofeu, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Romelu Lukaku.

Recent form

Both sides are enjoying something of an unbeaten run with United not losing for twelve games and Everton six. It’s draws that have let the champions down though, with dropped points at Cardiff and Spurs spoiling what would’ve been an excellent run. Six points from the last four games isn’t great for Everton and despite not losing since early October, one win in four shows it hasn’t all be plain sailing.

Players to watch

Manchester United – Wayne Rooney

Not exactly an original thought but it’s hard to ignore the fact Wayne Rooney is in the form of his career and could well be the key against his former club. With Van Persie a doubt, United will be even more reliant on Rooney who’s goals have stopped an indifferent start to the season for the Reds, from being a disastrous one.

Everton – Romelu Lukaku

Okay so zero points for me for originality but it’s startlingly obvious that the young Belgian will prove vital if Everton are to have any hope of beating the champions. Like Rooney, Lukaku has eight goals to his name and with United’s defence less than assured, no one would be too surprised if he caused the champions problems.

Prediction

If David Moyes can’t beat a side he helped create then questions will certainly be asked of the United manager. Martinez has got Everton playing some wonderful football and in Lukaku has the sort of striker not seen at Everton, perhaps since Rooney left Goodison a decade ago. Both sides have been scoring goals so it would be a surprise if we don’t see a few when they meet.

Manchester United 3-2 Everton