Match Preview:
This time last year, the then-Manchester United manager David Moyes returned to his former club, Everton, for the first time since leaving Goodison Park to take charge of his 34th Premier League match as manager of the Red Devils. It would be his last. Almost exactly a year on, Moyes’ permanent successor, Louis van Gaal, travels to the blue half of Merseyside for his 34th Premier League match in charge of Manchester United. The two scenarios are similar, yet scarily different.
Van Gaal has only managed two more league victories in his debut season at Old Trafford than the Scotsman, but his side are currently eight points, and four places, better off than at this stage last year. Champions League football for next season is almost guaranteed and the Scot, now in charge of La Liga side Real Sociedad, can only look on with increasing exasperation as his star signings last season, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, reach levels of performance that he just couldn’t manage to extract from them during his troubled tenure at Old Trafford.
Whilst Manchester United fans will be revelling in their new-found form, their counterparts at Everton will be far from cheerful. After finishing with a club-record Premier League points tally last season, the Toffees have struggled to recapture their form of last season, and have spent the majority of this campaign languishing in the bottom half. They are now 12th, and could move up to 10th if results go their way - not a disastrous season in any shape or form - but there will be an inevitable sense of disappointment after the hope last season brought (as Liverpool fans will undoubtedly empathise).
It’s been almost a decade since Everton last finished outside of the top half, and Roberto Martinez will be eager to finish the season strongly. Tomorrow, however, they come up against one of the most in-form sides in the league. Despite losing at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, United put in a strong performance - a performance van Gaal claimed was one of their best this season - and will not be lacking in confidence again this Sunday.
The stats for this one are somewhat contradicting. Everton have won their last two home games against Manchester United, and have only lost twice in their last six meetings, yet their opponents also the side that has defeated them the most times in the Premier League era. The Toffees will take pride in their home record, however, as they are yet to lose at Goodison Park this calendar year (W5, D5) and have won their last three league games to nil at home. United’s away form has also been somewhat under-par, with just three away victories in their last nine league games.
United will be eager to return to winning ways after their slip at Stamford Bridge but a confident and resurgent Everton, who are unbeaten in five, should give them a very strong fight.
Team News:
Everton were boosted by the return of Leon Osman (groin) and James McCarthy (ankle) to training on Friday and it is expected that both midfielders will be passed fit for Sunday. Steven Pienaar (muscle fatigue), Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) and Aiden McGeady (back) all still remain doubts, however. Romelu Lukaku is expected to start up-front again, despite being played out wide at points this season, and will take delight in the fact he is one of only four players ever to score a Premier League hat trick against Manchester United (in a 5-5 draw for West Brom).
Manchester United’s injury woes are beginning to return again with Michael Carrick (calf), Phil Jones (ankle) and Marcus Rojo (groin) all unavailable this weekend. Daley Blind (ankle) will face a late fitness test whilst concerns remain over Robin van Persie’s match fitness. Rafael has also recently been ruled out for the rest of the season with broken ribs.