Everton will be hosting Manchester United with eyes on European places as they look to bounce back after a defeat to Bournemouth.
Everton welcome Manchester United to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening with European qualification firmly in sight. David Moyes’ side sit eighth in the Premier League table, level on points with Bournemouth, trailing on 9th, with Sunderland and Newcastle United trailing by just a single point.
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford in November delivered one of Everton’s finest results of the season. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal secured a 1-0 win despite the Toffees playing with ten men for the majority of the match. That result ended a long wait for a victory at Old Trafford and gave Moyes’ side belief that they could compete with the league’s established order.
Rare opportunity for a league double
Monday presents an opportunity to achieve a league double over Manchester United, something Everton have managed only once before in the Premier League era. The last time came in 2013-14, when Roberto Martinez’s side won both meetings. Victory would put David Moyes’s to a touching distance of a potential Conference League place.
Talking about the win over United last time, David Moyes said in his press conference, “It seems a long time ago (the victory in the reverse fixture), but it was a hugely important three points.
“We got a really good goal and did well enough to hang on to it. It was a really important three points and these three points coming up are important again.”
United arrive on Merseyside in resurgent form under Michael Carrick. The interim head coach has drawn just once since taking charge in January, with wins over Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal in recent weeks. The Red Devils are unbeaten in nine league matches and have climbed into fourth place, looking every bit a Champions League contender.
Carrick said earlier this week: “Man United have more away wins and more wins overall against Everton than any team has against another in Premier League history. That’s obviously expected due to the recent success they’ve had under Sir Alex Ferguson, but Everton have the perfect chance to match a record of their own.”
Team news and selection decisions
David Moyes has a near-full squad to choose from. Jack Grealish remains sidelined after undergoing surgery and will not feature again this season. Jake O’Brien is suspended following his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth before the FA Cup break, meaning Nathan Patterson is likely to start at right-back.
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye are both available after their Africa Cup of Nations exploits with Senegal, and Moyes will hope they can provide the energy and quality needed to unlock a United defence that has kept three clean sheets in their last five outings.
United have their own absentees. Patrick Dorgu remains out with a hamstring injury and is not expected back until April. Matthijs de Ligt continues his recovery from a back problem sustained in November. Mason Mount, however, has returned to training and could be included in the matchday squad.
For Everton, Monday represents more than just three points. It is a chance to complete a rare double over a historic rival and cement their place in the race for Europe. The platform is there. Now they must deliver.
