Everton vs. Manchester United: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Everton vs. Manchester United sees an FA Cup semi-final clash between two sides whose managers have become deeply unpopular with their supporters. 

Even an FA Cup win may not completely dispel the dissatisfaction that has built up around both of them, but the promise of a Wembley final is still an intoxicating one for fans. Both clubs have a significant legacy in this competition, with five wins for Everton and 11 for United. Everton's drought extends back to 1995 and United's to 2004. 

The Red Devils come into this one with a bit of form behind them and having beaten the Toffees as recently as April 3. Louis van Gaal's Manchester United side have won three on the bounce, whereas Roberto Martinez's men have not won a game since their quarter-final win over Chelsea on March 12.

Their most recent game saw them humiliated by a 4-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby—a game in which they offered very little resistance.

After United's win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Van Gaal told the press, per the club's website: "I came to England to win titles and now are very close." 

Speaking ahead of the semi-final, Martinez said, per BBC Sport: "Since the quarter-final against Chelsea, the results have not been good enough and that's something we will look at next week. At the moment, everything's about being together in the FA Cup semi-final."

Date: Saturday, April 23

Time: 5.15 p.m. BST/12.15 p.m. ET

Venue: Wembley Stadium,, England

TV Info: BBC One (UK only)/FOX Sports 2 (U.S. only)

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK only)/FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S. only)

Form Lines

Manchester United: WWLWWW

Everton: LLDDDL

Team News

Van Gaal told MUTV (h/t the club's website): "The squad is nearly fit. Only [Luke] Shaw and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger are unable to play and maybe Januzaj because he didn't play yet in the second team. But we have a full squad of fit players."

He added: "Every player wants to play in a semi-final. I have to select 18 players and I have now 24 players fit so I have to disappoint six players and that is not fine for a manager."

Everton are facing something of a defensive crisis—this time in terms of availability of key players, rather than their form. Ramiro Funes Mori is suspended following his dismissal in the Merseyside derby. In addition, Martinez told the press, per Everton's website:

"

Seamus Coleman will be missing for the semi-final and we're going to have late fitness tests for [Phil] Jagielka, [Gareth] Barry and [John] Stones. I'm quite positive about John but it's hard to tell with Phil. 

Medically, I wouldn't expect Phil to be fit, that's the truth. But, knowing Phil, he wants to try everything possible to be available, so we're not going to say, "No", and it makes sense to keep monitoring him for as long as he can.

"

Predicted Lineups

That defensive crisis gives Martinez a pretty serious selection headache. The above lineup suggests Brendan Galloway will cover at right-back—the opposite flank to his natural role. The Toffees' manager confirmed, per the club's website, that Matthew Pennington had been recalled from Walsall and would be part of the squad.

Assuming Jagielka does not make it, there is a chance the 21-year-old will have to go straight into the first XI. 

There is an element of wish fulfilment to the above United lineup. In truth, it would be no surprise at all to see Van Gaal revert to a more defensive mindset than he displayed against Palace at home on Wednesday. Changes could include Juan Mata being moved back out wide, with a more defensive-minded midfielder played in the centre alongside Morgan Schneiderlin—probably Michael Carrick. 

Elsewhere, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia's good form should keep them in the side, though there is every chance Marcos Rojo could return at left-back, and there could be a place in the side for Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Second-guessing Van Gaal is always tricky.

Players to Watch

Marcus Rashford remains United's danger man. He has two goals in his last three games, and while he did not score against Palace on Wednesday, he formed an important part of United's attack, playing well enough to earn a round of applause from Van Gaal as he was substituted late on. 

His physical qualities are obvious—against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, he comfortably outpaced every player on the pitch during one particular counter-attack. Equally obvious is his capacity to finish—his goals have proved that. But he has also shown himself to be adept at link-up play, demonstrating a particular fondness for a backheel.

That was instrumental in United's goal against Everton earlier in April, as Rashford's backheel opened up space for Fosu-Mensah's cross that led to the breakthrough. 

For Everton, while Romelu Lukaku is the obvious choice, it was the failure of their creative players to provide him with clear-cut chances that hurt the Toffeemen at Old Trafford. Gerard Deulofeu has been their most prolific chance creator this season, with an average of 2.3 key passes per 90 minutes of football. He has eight league assists to his name, and it is easy to see why. 

Key Battle

At Old Trafford on April 3, Daley Blind comfortably won his personal battle with Lukaku. If he can do so again, the Red Devils stand an excellent chance of making it to their first FA Cup final in more than a decade.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Lukaku was contained by Blind's excellent reading of the game—the Dutchman kept himself one mental step ahead of Everton's centre-forward, making three tackles and three interceptions in the game, which were often at Lukaku's expense.

It will be intriguing to see whether Blind can pull off the same feat on Saturday evening.

Odds

Everton: 3-1

Draw: 13-5

Manchester United: Evens

Odds for the game correct at the time of writing, per Odds Shark.

Advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.