Match Preview- Manchester United vs Everton
Manchester United play Everton at Old Trafford at Sunday lunchtime, looking to put the pressure on Man City by extending their lead to eight points before they play away at relegation threatened Wolves.
United come into the game off the back of one defeat in their last 14 games, which includes 12 victories in that incredible run. The Champions thrashed Aston Villa last Sunday 4-0 at Old Trafford with goals from Wayne Rooney (2), Danny Welbeck and the returning Nani which means the Reds are likely to be in confident mood again.
Everton come to Old Trafford having been knocked out of the FA Cup in the Semi Finals against their Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Wembley. A heart breaking defeat isn’t likely to help the Blues, who already have a shocking record at Old Trafford. Manchester United have not lost to Everton at Old Trafford in the past 18 league meetings, a record spanning nearly 20 years.
After scoring in last week’s victory, Nani is hoping to start for the first time since the 11th of March. United learnt this week that Anderson will play no part in the rest of the season because of a hamstring injury and contract rebel Paul Pogba is also out for the rest of the campaign with ankle ligament damage. They join Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic on the sidelines. Anders Lindegaard may be fit for a place on the bench along with Michael Owen.
Everton welcome Steven Pienaar back into the squad after the South African was cup tied for the FA Cup semi final defeat. Everton are also without key player Leighton Baines, who suffered an injury, ruling him out of the game. Royston Drenthe is out again for disciplinary reasons.
The last time these two sides met was the first game after United were thrashed at home to neighbours City. The Reds went to Goodison Park and picked up a gritty 0-1 win thanks to a typical Javier Hernandez goal.
Predicted line ups:
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Distin, Neville, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Jelavic.
Written by Yusuf Khan
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