A calamitous performance from Manchester United saw them lose 1-0 to Everton when the two sides last met. The Old Trafford faithful watched David Moyes’ side keep the Reds at bay for over 77 minutes despite being a man down.
It was perhaps the worst display from the team this season, and piled pressure on Ruben Amorim. The Toffees secured a famous victory at the Theatre of Dreams courtesy of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 29th-minute strike.
Everton will be playing a different United team this time around, one that has been let off the leash. Michael Carrick’s sensational start to his second spell as caretaker manager has seen his troops go unbeaten in five games.
Preview
United dropped points last time out, held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United. Benjamin Sesko came off the bench and scored a vital 90+6th-minute equaliser.
That goal meant Carrick had still to taste defeat across his two tenures as interim coach. He will be hoping his Reds not only remain unbeaten but pick up all three points.
UEFA Champions League qualification is in United’s hands amid a race for a top-four finish. His side sits fifth following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday.
Everton comes into the game off the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Bournemouth. There is a feeling that the visitors could be in for a similar game as the one that panned out in west London.
Manchester United team news
Carrick’s troops have had an entire week to rest due to last weekend’s FA Cup action. His side were eliminated from the competition by Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round last month.
The time off will have been beneficial, given that several players looked fatigued against West Ham. Harry Maguire was forced off with a suspected hamstring problem, but he has trained ahead of the Everton game.
The veteran English defender is set to be available, allaying fears that he might face another spell on the sidelines. The Everton game has come too soon for his defensive partner Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt has been out of action since November with a back problem. He has yet to make a single appearance under Carrick, and it might be a few weeks before he’s back to full fitness.
Mason Mount’s injury troubles have been a massive issue throughout his spell with the Reds. The former Chelsea midfielder has been sidelined since remaining on the bench in a 3-2 win over Arsenal on January 25th.
The English attacker won’t feature, although Carrick suggested he could be back for the game against Crystal Palace next Sunday (March 1st). His Danish teammate Patrick Dorgu has no chance of making the trip to Hill Dickinson.
Dorgu sustained a hamstring injury in the win against Arsenal. This has derailed his impressive form under Carrick, but on a positive note, reports claim that his recovery is going well.
Expected XI
Carrick has rarely opted to tinker with his team, and why should he, given their run of form? The only reason he has made changes is due to injuries, with Matheus Cunha coming into his starting lineup after Dorgu’s injury.
There is a real chance that the English tactician will hand Sesko a start against Everton. The Slovenian has rescued his side twice under the new coach, including scoring a last-gasp winner in a 3-2 win over Fulham.
Sesko could lead the line alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha in attack. He will undoubtedly continue to use Bruno Fernandes in his preferred attacking midfield role against the Toffees.
Kobbie Mainoo will likely partner with Casemiro in midfield on Monday night. Carrick’s defence should remain unchanged from the West Ham draw, with Diogo Dalot, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw in a four-man backline in front of the excellent Senne Lammens.
Amad might be the big name to drop out of Carrick’s XI, and he did look a tad off the pace against West Ham. It’s difficult to work out who makes way for Sesko, but Mbeumo’s goalscoring form might just be factored in.
Manchester United predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko; Cunha
Prediction
Everton’s home form should give United confidence that they can go to Hill Dickinson and get all three points. They will be eager to put in a better performance than the one that saw them take a point against West Ham.
There are concerns about Carrick’s approach when facing low blocks. Moyes’ men will be dogged and make life hard for the visitors, who will want to spread the ball about.
Fernandes will be key for the Reds, and if he can control proceedings, the Reds should win. The Portuguese playmaker has been unplayable at times this season, scoring 6 goals and recording 12 assists in 23 games.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester United
