₦airaland Forum

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: Goodison Park Date: Sunday, 26 April


TEAM NEWS

Everton's Steven Pienaar is a major doubt for Sunday's game as he is struggling with muscle fatigue.

But Leon Osman (groin) and James McCarthy (ankle) both returned to training on Friday and should be fit.

Man Utd will again be without Michael Carrick (calf), Phil Jones (ankle) and Marcus Rojo (adductor) but Daley Blind could return after an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, defender Rafael has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a rib injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

The last time Manchester United played at Goodison, a publicity stunt 'Grim Reaper' was ejected for hovering close to David Moyes.

That was Moyes' 34th league game in charge of Manchester United, also his last.

This will be Louis van Gaal's 34th Premier League game - and while it's unlikely anybody is going to be waving a scythe at the Dutchman on this particular visit, he appeared a bit spooked during his tetchy Match Of The Day interview last week.

Van Gaal has enjoyed just two more league victories in his debut season at Old Trafford, and his team has only scored three more league goals, than under Moyes.

The key difference, of course, has been far fewer defeats - roughly half - and that resilience has set the club on target for a return to the Champions League next season.

While the recruitment of Moyes from Everton didn't work out, Marouane Fellaini has risen to the challenge this season. This is his first return to Goodison Park since leaving - the last time he played in this fixture he scored the winning goal for Everton.

Eleven years on from his departure, Wayne Rooney will once again expect ghostly boos from fans who used to adore him.

After recording their best ever Premier League points tally last season, Everton have struggled to match it this campaign.

It is nine years since they last finished outside the top 10. Everton begin this weekend 12th in the table, but unbeaten in five league games. Roberto Martinez will be hoping for a strong finish.

The spirit of Moyes will lurk strongly, watching the two managers who replaced him.

Everton lost 2-1 at Old Trafford in October and Angel Di Maria got one of the goals. The Argentinean hasn't scored a league goal since. Scary stuff.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Everton are looking for a third consecutive home win over Manchester United.
United have won on only one of their last six trips to Goodison Park (W1, D2, L3).
United's 2-1 win when the sides met at Old Trafford in October propelled the Red Devils into the top four for the first time in over a year.
Everton have lost 31 Premier League games against Manchester United, four more than against any other opponent.

Everton

Everton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, winning four of them.
The Toffees are unbeaten at home in all competitions in 2015 (W5, D5) and have won their last three Premier League matches at Goodison Park without conceding.
Everton have dropped 19 points from winning positions, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
They have missed three penalties this season - more than any other top-flight side.
Romelu Lukaku is one of only four players to have scored a Premier League hat-trick versus Manchester United (Dirk Kuyt, David Bentley and Samuel Eto'o the others).

Manchester United

Manchester United's six-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end at Chelsea last weekend.
The Red Devils have won just three of their last nine away league games (D4, L2).
Last week marked a year since David Moyes was sacked as United manager. His dismissal came after a 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Radamel Falcao hasn't managed to fire a single shot on target in his last eight Premier League appearances for Man Utd, despite playing 355 minutes in these games.

HARDDON:
Did Liverpool just Draw?

beekaymee:
I Don bet 30 k on top man u if dem lose I go turn suicide bomber for old trafford ooo ……ASA PALAPALA

otemanuduno: [size=14pt]Click [url=https://www.nairaland.com/do_share?post=33124897&redirect=%2F2254873%2Feverton-vs-manchester-united-today%2333124897&session=BB00137BB1AA909193BBFF0B6D84D2C0B9C9457DE63512C5933A365B1861E7CD]share[/url] if you believe Man utd will lose [/size]

Humblebloke:
Everton 1 United 0....