United faces an Everton side strong on the road, with dangerous attackers and a solid defense.
On Monday evening, Manchester United will make their first-ever trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as they face Everton on match day 27 of the Premier League season.
The reverse fixture was also on a Monday night, an ill fated game that saw Everton run out 1-0 winners despite playing for ten men for the majority of the game. That one feels like quite a long time ago now.
So, what can we expect from our hosts ahead of the game on Monday?
The Toffees are enjoying a fairly good season under club legend and former United boss David Moyes, as they sit in 8th place, which could be enough to secure European football for the first time since the 17/18 season.
Away from home, Everton are actually one of the better sides in the league, sitting 5th in the away table, with 21 points from 13 games, above the likes of United and Liverpool.
However, they have not had the same fortunes at home, sitting 14th in the home standings with just 16 points from 13 outings. Like with many other clubs that move grounds, there have been some teething issues with the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In terms of dangermen, Iliman Ndiaye is often regardrd as Everton’s best player. The Senegalese international is a very dribbly player who can play anywhere behind the striker in their 4231 formation.
Then you have Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in November. He has found the net five times in 19 league games this season, whilst also providing two assists and creating six big chances.
Meanwhile, United academy graduate James Garner has been very consistent for the Toffees this season, firstly at left back and now in his natural midfield role. He also impressed during a recent win away to Fulham, with England manager Thomas Tuchel in attendance.
Everton’s side is built on its solid backbone. Garner is often paired with Idrissa Gueye, who has been one of the best balling, winning midfielders in the league for a long time now, despite being 36 years old. He was sent off in the reverse fixture.
Those two protect a strong defensive core. They have strengthened even further recently with the return of Jarrad Branthwaite after a long term injury. He is likely to partner James Tarkowski, with James Pickford in goal. The England number one made several top class saves to deny United in November.
Should the centre back partnership be of Tarkowski and Branthwaite, Jake O’Brien could fill it in at right-back. Left back is a big issue, with Vitaliy Mykolenko seen as the standout weakness in the team.
Therefore, Moyes may push Branthwaite to left-back, O’Brien and Tarkowski to central defence, and Nathan Patterson to right-back. Let’s see.
Possible Everton XI (4231); Pickford; Patterson, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Garner; Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry.
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