This Sunday sees Manchester United host Everton in a battle between two Portuguese managers experiencing vastly different seasons.
Marco Silva, slowly but surely, seems to be improving Everton week by week and the Toffees have now won three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since January 2017, conceding just one goal in the process.
Jose Mourinho, however, can’t seem to catch a break. Every morale-boosting win seemingly kick-starts their season, before another defeat or crisis sends the 55-year-old right back to square one.
Read on for live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info for Manchester United v Everton.
When is Manchester United v Everton
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Sunday, 28 October
Kick-off: 4pm
Match preview
It’s just one thing after another for Jose Mourinho this season. Whether it is publicly falling out with his players, falling out with opposition coaching staff or simply being outclassed on the football pitch, the third season of his Old Trafford tenure has, arguably, been the most challenging of his entire career so far.
The Red Devils recovered from lacklustre results against West Ham United and Valencia by completing a remarkable comeback victory against Newcastle United before gaining a credible draw away to Chelsea. In truth, Man United were unfortunate to come away without the win.
However, a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in their last game doesn’t tell the whole story as the Italians totally dominated possession and looked a class above Mourinho’s side, who were totally disjointed in their build-up play and looked suspect every time the Serie A champions come forward.
Down the East Lancs road, however, the mood is decidedly more cheerful. Although Evertonians aren’t getting too ahead of themselves – they did lose 3-1 to West Ham and exit the League Cup to Southampton recently, both at home – their recent run of form in the Premier League is giving them much optimism moving forward.
As previously mentioned, the Toffees have won their last three league games and conceded just one goal in the process. Moreover, the style of football Marco Silva is imprinting upon his team couldn’t be further from the dogmatic style played under Sam Allardyce last season. The likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Bernard have combined to give the Blues a new dimension and with the likes of Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina coming back to fitness, the future looks bright.
Where can I watch live?
Manchester United v Everton can be viewed by UK residents on Sky Sports Premier League, channel 402 on Sky and channel 512 for Virgin Media users. Sky Sports Mobile TV users can also watch the match via the app.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Which defensive partnership will Mourinho use for Man United?
If you can think of a centre-back pairing that Jose Mourinho hasn’t used yet during his time at Old Trafford, we would like to hear about it. The Portuguese has constantly tinkered with his backline and has really struggled to find a solid, dependable pairing in that position.
Most recently, Mourinho has used Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof. Smalling has looked less than convincing while, surprisingly, the under-fire Swede Lindelof has actually done well, especially against Juventus in midweek.
Can Lukaku end his goal drought against his old club?
Romelu Lukau has managed just four goals for Manchester United this season and has now failed to find the net in each of his last eight games for the Red Devils, dating back to their 2-1 win over Watford on the 15 September. His first touch, in particular, has come under fire recently and the Belgian looks like a player totally out of ideas and confidence at club level.
However, Lukaku is a goalscorer; that is what he does. The 25-year-old has an impressive 221 goals to his name for club and country already and scored in his first game against his old club in a 4-0 Old Trafford win last season. This seems like the perfect game for Lukaku to rediscover his golden touch and score his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford since 31 March.
Can Everton improve their horrendous record at Old Trafford?
To put it simply, Everton’s record at Old Trafford is awful. The Toffees’ last victory at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in 2013, courtesy of a Brian Oviedo strike, but that is one of just two victories there in the Premier League era.
If Everton are really going to establish themselves as a force in English football once again, this record, as well as that at the grounds of the other members of the ‘big six’, simply must be rectified. Given their ever-increasing form and confidence, and the fact that Manchester United seem to be heading the opposite direction in that regard, Marco Silva’s side may never get a better chance to get a valuable Old Trafford win.
Head-to-head
Manchester United may have regularly unwrapped the Toffees during the Premier League era, but it hasn’t always been that way.
Since the two clubs first met in 1892, a 6-0 win for Everton, the Blues have enjoyed 69 victories over the Red Devils and an Everton victory was commonplace in this fixture during the Merseysiders’ title-winning heyday in the 1980s.
Those days are long gone, however, and only the occasional home win, where the Goodison Park atmosphere has roared Everton on, has given fans respite in this fixture.
Manchester United wins: 87
Draws: 43
Everton wins: 69
Team news
Jose Mourinho will have a balancing act to contend with heading into Man United’s game against Everton on Sunday. The Red Devils will be without Alexis Sanchez, Marouane Fellaini and Diogo Dalot while Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay are both still doubtful. Meanwhile, with Lukaku’s goalscoring troubles of late, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Mourinho giving him more support, playing the likes of Marcus Rashford and/or Anthony Martial closer to the Belgian.
As for Everton, long-term absentee James McCarthy is back in training following a recovery from a broken leg but is unlikely to be ready in time for their Old Trafford clash. Andre Gomes looked impressive on his Everton debut last week while Colombian defender Yerry Mina found a place on the bench following his recovery from injury.
Predicted Man United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Matic, Pogba; Rashford, Mata, Martial; Lukaku
Predicted Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Zouma, Keane, Digne; Gomes, Gueye; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Tosun
Predictions & betting tips
1. Romelu Lukaku to score and Man United to win @ 2/1
It’s about time Romelu Lukaku ended his goal drought and what better way to do it than against your former club?
Everton have won just twice in the Premier League era at Old Trafford and were beaten 4-0 here last season – a game in which Lukaku got himself on the scoresheet.
Key stat: Romelu Lukaku has seven goals in 19 appearances against his former clubs
Tip: Romelu Lukaku to score and Man United to win @ 2/1 with William Hill – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (26/10/2018, 17:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Manchester United to win and both teams to score @ 23/10
Despite their poor form, Manchester United are still strong favourites to beat Everton on Sunday. That being said, the Toffees are growing in confidence, with the likes of Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Theo Walcott getting well among the goals.
The Red Devils may win, but don’t bet against Everton pushing them all the way, especially with Mourinho still failing to find a settled combination in his defensive line.
Key stat: Man United are yet to win a home game while keeping a clean sheet this season.
Tip: Manchester United to win and both teams to score @ 23/10 with William Hill – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (26/10/2018, 17:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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