Man Utd vs Everton: Ten Hag’s Team Aims to Rebound After Derby Loss
Manchester United will be looking to get back on track as they face Everton in a crucial Premier League clash. After their disappointing 3-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City last week, Erik ten Hag’s side will be eager to bounce back and keep their hopes of European football alive. The Red Devils took the lead in the derby thanks to a thunderbolt from Marcus Rashford, but City’s dominance eventually prevailed in the second half. Now, Man Utd need a win against Everton to stay in the race for European qualification.
Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League table, Manchester United are six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. However, their current position is not secure, as West Ham are just two points behind and could overtake them if they fail to secure a victory against Everton. Ten Hag has emphasized that the team’s hunt for European football is far from over, as they have already caught up to the leading pack once this season.
On the other hand, Everton is currently five points clear of the relegation zone after their 10-point deduction for breaching league rules was reduced to six on appeal. Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping his team can cause an upset and secure their first win in the top flight since last year. In their previous match against West Ham, Everton suffered a 3-1 defeat despite initially taking the lead. The team’s fragile defense crumbled, allowing their opponents to score two goals in stoppage time.
In terms of team news, Man Utd will be hoping for the return of star striker Rasmus Hojlund from a muscle injury that has kept him out of the last three matches. Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka could also feature after nearly two months on the sidelines. On the other hand, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, and Anthony Martial are expected to miss the match. For Everton, there is a possibility of midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye returning from a groin injury, but Arnaut Danjuma will remain out with an ankle problem.
Both teams have had mixed form recently. Manchester United suffered losses to Man City and Fulham in the Premier League, with a victory against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup sandwiched in between. Before this slump, they had been in good form, winning four consecutive matches and remaining unbeaten in six games across all competitions. On the other hand, Everton is without a win in their last five matches, with two losses and three draws. Their last league victory came in December, followed by seven defeats and six draws.
In terms of key players, Alejandro Garnacho stole the show in the previous meeting between Man Utd and Everton. Although United won the match 3-0, Garnacho’s potential goal of the season just three minutes into the game was a highlight. The winger has been impressive this season, scoring five goals and assisting three more in 25 league games. Jordan Pickford, Everton’s goalkeeper, has often been their savior in difficult times. He has eight clean sheets in 27 appearances this season and has made 80 saves in the league.
Erik ten Hag remains optimistic about Manchester United’s chances of securing a Champions League spot. He believes that there are still many games to play and that anything can happen in football. Sean Dyche, on the other hand, expressed frustration after Everton’s recent performances, emphasizing that the team deserves better rewards for their efforts.
In terms of predictions, SunSport predicts a 2-1 victory for Manchester United. The match will be held at Old Trafford today, with kick-off at 12:30 pm GMT. It will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, and you can also follow SunSport’s live blog for updates on the action. The odds for the match are as follows: Man Utd – 5/6, Draw – 11/4, Everton – 3/1.