Opposition report: Short-handed Everton host Manchester United

Everton’s week of chaos is capped off by their third Premier League fixture of 2026-27, as Manchester United visit Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After failed transfers, a scattergun end to the window and now, amid speculation over TFG’s commitment to Everton and reports they are aiming to secure more investment, it’ll be good to get back to what matters: The football.

A home game against Man Utd always generates a great atmosphere, but David Moyes’ men are going to need all the fans on their side as they aim to maintain their decent start to the campaign.

Here’s what to expect from Michael Carrick’s team.

LAST TIME OUT

After a 2-0 defeat to Hull City on the opening weekend, Man Utd bounced back by beating another of the promoted teams last week.

Ipswich Town were good value for the lead they took at Old Trafford, but Man Utd soon asserted control and ultimately won 5-2, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Everton have faced Man Utd 217 times. They have won 72 of those games, losing on 97 occasions. There have been 48 draws between these teams.

MAN UTD’S FORM

Here are Man Utd’s last six competitive results:

May 3rd: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool

May 9th: Sunderland 0-0 Man Utd

May 17th: Man Utd 3-2 Nottingham Forest

May 24th: Brighton 0-3 Man Utd

August 22nd: Hull City 2-0 Man Utd

August 30th: Man Utd 5-2 Ipswich Town

ONE TO WATCH

Man Utd have plenty of attacking talent in their squad, but there’s one clear standout.

Fernandes is not only their captain, he is their talisman — everything goes through him.

Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo have lots to offer and will cause a big threat, but if Everton can get a hold of Fernandes, they will have a great chance of stemming Man Utd completely.

WHAT CAN EVERTON TARGET?

Ipswich exposed Man Utd’s defence through sheer pace and intensity, especially through Julio Enciso, whose driving runs got the better of Luke Shaw down the Red Devils.

With Iliman Ndiaye gone, Everton will likely have Jack Grealish back in the starting XI on the left, so who plays on the right flank is up for debate.

Tyrique George has been Moyes’ preference to start so far, albeit on the left; could he provide the kind of running power that Enciso showed last week?

Brennan Johnson has plenty of pace to burn, too, but he is more suited to charging in behind, making off-ball runs, rather than getting on it deep and charging forward.

But defensively, Man Utd can certainly be tested.

Read more - Four days of fury: The 96 hours in which TFG lost trust at Everton

 

---

Reader Comments (1)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

How to get rid of these ads and support TW