Man Utd get the early kick-off again this week at home against Everton. The early match up pits fourth versus fifth in the league table and should be an exciting match to go into the international break.
Everton have been early starters to the league in the last few years. Only goal differential separates the sides to begin the campaign. Rafa Benitez has the blue side of Merseyside playing well early. Only a loss to Aston Villa, a 3-0 spanking is the only blemish.
Everton responded last week with a victory over Norwich in the league after the Villa defeat and an exit in the League Cup to a decent Championship side in QPR.
This season the Toffees switched up how they do business in the summer. Instead of the big price signings more modest signings like Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Salomon Rondon were brought in with success.
A late goal snatched a win from Manchester United the last time these two sides met in February. It was a bad draw for United last season. Other results caused United to fall out of the title race, but it was two value points at the time.
Everton Team News
The Toffees brought in some hard working players with a bit to prove like I stated earlier. Gray looks a different player than the one who was out Bayern Leverkusen last season. Rondon returned to the Premier League after disappearing in China for a bit.
Townsend is relishing in the opportunity of playing at bigger club than Crystal Palace and has produced some nice goals already. Those players combined with Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey, Allan, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and longtime veteran Seamus Coleman have made for a nice squad.
This is Everton’s toughest test for sure. Burnley, Brighton, Southampton and Leeds are some of the other teams they have played. Not the toughest schedule, Man Utd faced Everton in the pre-season and obliterated them 4-0.
Andre Gomes, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and Coleman might all be out for the Toffees in the match. Huge blow for them, but last match they started Rondon, Townsend, Gray and Alex Iwobi as attacking options. Gray and Townsend have been featured most of the season.
Man Utd have injuries of their own. Harry Maguire will definitely be out and Luke Shaw might not be fully fit either, both picked up injuries last weekend.
Everton should come out competitive, some players on the squad are not regular internationals, this could be a good opportunity to take it to Man Utd physically knowing they have a break coming up.
