It may seem crazy to suggest that this is a must win game for Manchester United so early in the season. But with a top four Premier League finish the absolute priority now is the time for the club to exploit Liverpool’s hitherto bad form and build a gap between themselves and last season’s runners up. Because it could well be a straight scrap between the two for the fourth English berth in next year’s competition.
Everton is never an easy team to face but with concerns over Kevin Mirallas, and Ross Barkley still recovering from injury, the opposition attack is to some extent blunted.
United too have obvious injury concerns and the suspension of Wayne Rooney is a major blow. He has been scoring and creating goals all season and it’s an untimely absence with The Reds trying to build momentum.
Fortunately United have ready made replacements at the tip of the diamond in the shape of Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj and if United perform to their ability then they should see this one out.
With Ander Herrera also injured Manchester United may play both. But it seems more likely that the strength, athleticism and defensive capabilities of Antonio Valencia will be employed on the right of the diamond. This will also give United a nice balance with he and Di Maria flying forward from the wings at pace.
On the injury front the good news is that Phil Jones is training with the first team again. Many believe that he’s an accident waiting to happen but we are still fans of his. He needs a run of games without injury in the centre of defence but he can become a stalwart for United in the mould of a John Terry or Nemanja Vidic.
He could well line up alongside Marcos Rojo in an untested yet decent looking central defensive partnership with Luke Shaw likely to continue on the left. Shaw is finally ready to shine after injury and we think that the lad is absolute class.
We would be tempted to play Adnan Januzaj – on fire in the reserves – in the hole against Everton but LvG could well go with the experience and goal threat of Juan Mata to provide the ammo for RvP and Radamel Falcao. The latter will be desperate to break his Manchester United duck and we are tipping him to do so in a competitive encounter this Sunday (KO 1200).
So here is our strongest XI to face Everton at the weekend. United fans: keen on this line up?
