Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways as they take on Everton at Goodison Park. It’s a must-win game for both teams who’ve let too many points slip. The Toffees are desperate for a result as they find themselves just one point above the relegation zone. While United need a resurgence if they are seeking a higher league finish. However, the Red Devil’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Leicester City ended any slim hopes of a top-four finish. The side that came up against the Foxes didn’t look like a team in the pursuit of European football. The lack of intent and urgency shown on the pitch suggested that the players have nothing to play for. That may very well be the case as anything above a mid-table finish would be remarkable.
OPPOSITION
To say that Everton are coming into this game in poor form is an understatement. The Toffees’ 3-2 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor was a major blow to their hopes of survival as their 68-year stay in top-flight English football could be coming to an end. The team have struggled to deliver an upturn of form since Lampard’s arrival. Only securing two wins and suffering seven defeats from the nine games he’s been in charge.
Sean Dyche’s team talk at half-time says it all: “I’m not sure [Everton] know how to win a game lads.”
Everton’s glaring weaknesses stem from the lack of organisation in defence as they continue to leak the softest goals. Individual errors have been costly and keeping possession of the ball is certainly not their strong suit.
I expect Lampard to opt for a 4-3-3 formation and will be looking to play on the counter-attack. Obviously starting with Jordan Pickford in net. Mason Holgate and Michael Keane who returns from suspension could be the centre-back pairing. Seamus Coleman should return at right-back and Jonjoe Kenny starting at left-back. The midfield three should consist of Abdoulaye Doucouré, Allan and Alexander Iwobi. Upfront, promising youngster Anthony Gordon on the left flank. Richarlison on the right who was unlucky to secure a hat trick in the previous match. And Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the recognised striker.
MANCHESTER UNITED
It’s not too far-fetched to say that United have struggled to find an answer when they play without Cristiano Ronaldo. For the six games he has not started, the team haven’t secured a single win. Ralf Rangnick’s decision to play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine proved costly as his natural instinct to drop deep meant Leicester’s centre-backs were unchallenged. Paul Pogba seemed like the only one who thought about running in from behind, but that was largely unsuccessful.
United need to start picking up the pace to dictate the tempo of matches as everything was done at a walking pace. There was no intensity, aggressiveness or desire to work hard with or without the ball. There was no cohesion without a recognised centre-forward and the decision to start without Marcus Rashford wasn’t surprising as his recent performances certainly don’t warrant a place in the starting 11. However, I would like to see him in the line-up ahead of this fixture as he had his chances when he came on as a substitute against Leicester and was very unfortunate not to score the winner.
LINE-UP
In net, it has to be that man David de Gea who again pulled off some brilliant saves to make sure we still got something out of the match. At the heart of defence, I see Harry Maguire retaining his spot after a decent showing to partner Raphaël Varane. In place of an injured Luke Shaw will be Alex Telles at left-back. Diogo Dalot is likely to return at right-back.
I thought Nemanja Matic was composed and brought stability into that midfield during his short cameo so he could start potentially as the holding midfielder after Scott McTominay failed to impress with his poor positioning. Fred whose name was on the scoresheet again will be starting without a doubt and Fernandes. Of course, if Ronaldo is fit he will be the influential presence in the number nine position that we so desperately need, alongside Jadon Sancho on the right flank and I think Rashford will be given another chance on the left.
SCore Prediction
As Rangnick said in the post-match press conference after the result against Leicester, United needed to be “more dynamic, more physical and more aggressive.” If the players don’t nail down the physical elements that the game will demand then expect a very similar result to the last.
This Everton team are in such a dire run of form and are coming off a demoralising defeat. It’s needless to say that they are there for the taking this weekend. But how many times have we seen United make it scrappy against relegation-threatened sides? United are capable of dropping points against any club and if they’re playing without heart then Everton will almost certainly grab something out of this game. I’m still going to predict a win, but there will be goals on both ends. I’m going for a much-needed 3-1 victory for the Reds.