Manchester United go in search of a huge three Premier League points on Merseyside this Sunday afternoon against a wounded Everton fresh from a 10-point deduction. Goodison Park will be even more hostile than usual for the visit of United but Erik ten Hag could welcome several players back from injury for the contest. Express Sport looks at how the away team could set up…
Goalkeeper – Andre Onana
Summer signing Onana will start in goal despite an injury scare for Cameroon over the international break. The goalkeeper felt pain in his groin against Mauritius and had to be substituted off but he has since trained twice for his club.
United have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets but are without a shut-out in the league at Goodison Park since January 2018. Onana would love to change that.
Defence – Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw
Diogo Dalot could lose his place on the right wing in favour of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the more defensively sound of the duo. Back from illness, he will have a busy afternoon against a rampaging Vitaliy Mykolenko and Dwight McNeil.
In central defence, Raphael Varane’s exile is expected to continue. The French veteran has not started a league match since the September 30 win over Crystal Palace. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof should be the centre-half partnership.
At left-back, the third of four players who could shake off injuries to start is left-back Luke Shaw. The Englishman has been sidelined since August 19 and will be a welcome returner as United have really missed his energy and quality on the ball down the left.
Midfield – McTominay, Amrabat
Christian Eriksen started the last league match against Luton but the Dane limped off with a knee problem and did not join up with Denmark over the break. He won’t feature here.
As a result, with Mason Mount and Casemiro both also injured, the on-loan Sofyan Amrabat could come in next to Scott McTominay. The pair will be tasked with matching the liveliness of Idrissa Gueye and James Garner in the Everton midfield.
Attack – Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Marcus Rashford has just one goal so far this season but should be buoyed by Shaw’s return down the left which should provide him with added attacking support. Bruno Fernandes will captain the side from the No 10 spot.
The dilemma for Ten Hag is whether to start the out-of-form Antony or Garnacho down the right but the Argentine’s superior pace and desire to drive directly at opponents may see him picked to pose a greater counter-attacking threat.
Rasmus Hojlund sustained an injury against Luton like fellow Denmark international Eriksen but like Onana, Wan-Bissaka and Shaw, could be asked to lead the line. He is still searching for his first Premier League goal having suffered his fair share of misfortune recently.
Predicted Man Utd line-up vs Everton in full: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Amrabat; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
