Manchester United travel to Goodison Park on
Saturday lunchtime aiming to get last weekend's
derby mauling well and truly out of their system.
The devastating defeat by their near neighbours City has
left them five points off the pace in the Premier League and
left everyone wondering how they will respond to the sort
of beating they have usually dished out to others over the
years.
If Sir Alex Ferguson could have chosen a game to bounce
back in it is unlikely to have been a short jaunt across the
M62 to Goodison, a ground where they have not won
since 2007.
Indeed, their previous two league encounters on the blue
half of Merseyside have seen Everton score six goals -
including two in injury-time last season to snatch an
unlikely point in a 3-3 draw.
The Toffees are looking to respond themselves after an
agonising defeat in extra-time to Chelsea in the Carling Cup
in midweek, though they did pick up three points at
Fulham last Sunday.
That last-gasp victory at Craven Cottage was welcome respite in
the midst of a run of games that featured Manchester City,
Liverpool and Chelsea twice - all resulting in defeats.
With high-flying Newcastle lying in wait next weekend, manager
David Moyes once again faces a tough task if he is to prevent the
club from making yet another slow start to the league that could
ultimately curtail their European ambitions.
Team News
Everton captain Phil Neville was forced off at half-time during the
Chelsea Carling Cup clash on Wednesday and is a doubt to face
his old club. Another former Red Devil Louis Saha is expected to
keep his place after scoring twice in his last two games.
Australian Tim Cahill lasted the full 120 minutes against the Blues
but picked up a knock in extra-time so is also a doubt. Royston
Drenthe though is definitely out after he was sent off for two
yellow cards in that game.
United made 11 changes for their 3-0 Carling Cup victory over
Aldershot in midweek but few are expected to start at Goodison -
despite last week's Old Trafford nightmare.
Winger Ashley Young is a slight doubt with a toe injury but is
expected to recover in time.
Jonny Evans is definitely out through suspension but Wayne
Rooney is fit to face his old side.
Possible starting XIs
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman,
Rodwell, Fellaini, Coleman, Cahill, Saha
Man Utd: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Nani, Fletcher,
Anderson, Young, Rooney, Welbeck
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
