Everton vs. Manchester United: Team News, Preview, Live-Stream, TV Info
Manchester United will hope to bring their form from the cup competitions into the Premier League on Sunday, as they head to Goodison Park to take on Everton.
Jose Mourinho’s men were in irresistible attacking form in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, as they swatted aside West Ham United 4-1. The linkup between Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan certainly bodes well for the rest of the campaign.
Everton need a victory themselves, though, having suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Southampton last time out. Ronald Koeman’s side can jump above United into sixth place if they pick up a victory, although they’ve won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
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Here are details on where to catch the action, who is set to feature for both sides and a closer look at how what is always a ferocious fixture is set to pan out.
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 4 p.m. (GMT), 11 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), NBCSN (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), NBC Sports App (U.S.)
Team News
Everton: Aside from long-term absentees Muhamed Besic and Arouna Kone, Koeman has a full complement of players to choose from for this fixture.
Likely XI: Maarten Stekelenburg; Seamus Coleman, Ashley Williams, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines; Yannick Bolasie, Gareth Barry, Idrissa Gueye, Kevin Mirallas; Ross Barkley; Romelu Lukaku.
Manchester United: Wayne Rooney is suspended for the return to his former club after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season, but Mourinho can call upon Paul Pogba after his midweek ban. Chris Smalling remains a big injury doubt, although Luke Shaw returned to action for the Red Devils against West Ham on Wednesday.
Likely XI: David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind; Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Team news courtesy of Fantasy Football Scout.
Preview
Although United have underachieved massively in the Premier League so far this season, the clash with West Ham offered an insight into what this team is capable of in an attacking sense.
While we’ve seen the potency of Ibrahimovic in front of goal this term in league matches, Martial has been struggling to find the form he showcased in his debut season. Mourinho also has resisted using Mkhitaryan from the start in games. Both excelled in the 4-1 win over the Hammers, though.
As Daniel Storey of Football365 noted ahead of that quarter-final tie, the players haven’t been handed a chance to link up in United colours:
Given Rooney's suspension, they will surely be trusted to start at Goodison Park on Sunday. Martial adds an incision and a goal threat from the left flank, while Mkhitaryan, drifting in from the right-hand side, has showcased a wonderful ability to connect play and create chances for his team-mates.
A front four of Martial, Mata, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic would be difficult for any side to handle in the Premier League, including an Everton team that has looked a little laboured as of late.
While Koeman has added more stability to the team than was on show under his predecessor, Roberto Martinez, in recent outings, the centre-back duo of Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams has been exposed, especially with the ageing Gareth Barry ahead in midfield.
BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty expressed his concern over the age of this Everton squad:
Nonetheless, the Toffees are unbeaten so far this term at Goodison Park, and while they lost this fixture 3-0 last season, they won the previous three clashes against United on home soil. Consequently, the Red Devils are unlikely to turn up and stroll to three points on Merseyside.
Mourinho will be aware of that, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he were a little more conservative in his team selection than the one noted above. Either way, expect a tight game and the spoils to be shared.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Manchester United
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