Manchester United will be looking for redemption on Monday as they make their inaugural visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League. The Red Devils had one of their most disappointing outings earlier this season when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Everton in the reverse fixture, despite having played more than 75 minutes against a team reduced to 10 men. This upcoming match holds significant importance for Manchester United as they aim to rectify that loss.
Since their early exit from the FA Cup, United has enjoyed nearly two weeks off for recovery. Their hosts, Everton, have also had time to regroup following a defeat to Bournemouth on February 10, coinciding with United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United that same evening.
Interim manager Michael Carrick has overseen a remarkable turnaround in form for Manchester United, propelling them into contention for Champions League qualification. With each match, the team bolsters its chances of securing a top-five finish, which is expected to ensure a return to Europe’s elite competition.
Everton are also vying for European football, competing for spots in the Europa League and the Conference League under former United boss David Moyes. Thus, Monday’s clash is not only about local pride but could have lasting implications on European qualifications for both clubs.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET) at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The referee for the match will be Darren England, with VAR officiated by Paul Howard.
In terms of their recent head-to-head record, Manchester United has been more successful, winning three of their last five encounters with Everton, who have managed just one victory in that time. Regarding their current form, Everton has struggled with one win and two draws in their last five games, while United is on a strong run, with four wins and a draw.
On the injury front, Everton will miss Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish due to a foot fracture and have suspended Jake O’Brien. Séamus Coleman returns for Everton, likely replacing O’Brien. For United, Mason Mount remains sidelined, along with Matthijs de Ligt, though the latter is recovering from a long-term injury. The heads-up lineup for Manchester United could see them resembling the team that drew with West Ham.
With Everton’s struggles at home, having not won any of their last six matches on Merseyside, they will face a challenging endeavor against a revitalized Manchester United. The attacking cohesion between players like Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha indicates a positive trajectory for United. While a high-scoring match is not anticipated, the outlook remains optimistic for United as they aim for a decisive victory.
Predicted score: Everton 0 – 2 Manchester United.