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The Premier League action resumes at Old Trafford this lunchtime with a key fixture at both ends of the table. Manchester United host Everton looking to leapfrog Newcastle into third spot before the Magpies travel to Brentford later in the day and hoping to put six points between them and fifth-placed Tottenham, who face a tricky clash with Brighton.
United bounced back from their defeat loss to Newcastle with a narrow win over Brentford in midweek, secured via Marcus Rashford’s 28th goal of the season as the top-four race and battle for Champions League qualification continues to heat up. Erik ten Hag has Christian Eriksen back available today for the first time since January, though is missing Luke Shaw as well as the suspended Casemiro.
Sean Dyche’s Toffees head into the weekend lying 16th and out of the relegation zone on goal difference only after Michael Keane’s late heroics to earn a share of the spoils against Spurs on Monday night, but have won only one of their last 29 league games on this ground. Follow Manchester United vs Everton live below!
Live updates
Hosts arrived earlier this morning…
Eriksen set to make return
Not long until we get all the team news from Old Trafford – that’s coming up in just under ten minutes.
One man who is set to be involved on his return from injury is Christian Eriksen, with Erik ten Hag confirming the midfielder will be in the squad this afternoon and stating just how important he is to the United side.
“He is always composed on the ball,” Ten Hag said.
“You can always find him, so in the progressing of the game and he has key actions. He has key passes, the final pass, so I think that brings a lot to a team.”
Familiar face has arrived!
Earlier this season
Man United came away from Goodison Park with all three points back in October.
Alex Iwobi put Everton in front early on, before Antony equalised and the winner then came from Cristiano Ronaldo. Remember him?
If not, remind yourself with some highlights of that match…
As it stands…
Man United sit fourth in the Premier League going as it stands, and a point here would see them move into third at least until Newcastle face Brentford later this afternoon.
Less rosy picture for Everton. A win would life them up to 13th, but defeat and they’ll be only out of the relegation zone on goal different and looking around nervously for the rest of the weekend.
Dyche backs Weghorst
Sean Dyche was full of praise for Wout Weghorst in his pre-match press conference.
The striker, who has faced criticism for his form at Old Trafford, worked under Dyche at Burnley, and his former boss insists his side cannot “underestimate” him this afternoon.
“He’s a very good player,” Dyche told reporters. “He worked very hard, [he’s] very professional and different managers look for different things.
“I certainly wouldn’t underestimate him as a player. I hope he is not such a good pro if he plays on Saturday!”
Ten Hag eyes ‘really successful season’
Erik ten Hag has challenged his side to finish the season on a high and ensure his first campaign in charge at Old Trafford is one to remember.
“We have already won a cup, so we have to make it a really successful season,” Ten Hag said.
“We have a great squad, so I am really positive to get a good final stage of the season and even more silverware. We are in the right spot: competing for the top four of the Premier League, the quarter-final of the Europa League and semi-final of the FA Cup.”
Standard Sport prediction
Everton’s survival bid will be fuelled by their displays at Goodison Park, with results on the road proving far more difficult for Sean Dyche’s side.
That is unlikely to change against a United side so dominant at Old Trafford, and even though they are not currently at their free-flowing best up front, the hosts should have enough to get the job done comfortably enough.
Manchester United to win, 2-0.
Everton team news
Abdoulaye Doucoure will miss the trip to Old Trafford after he was shown a straight red card against Tottenham. The midfielder hit out at Harry Kane off the ball in a moment of madness and his three-match absence is a real blow for Everton.
James Garner or Tom Davies could come in as replacements, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to miss out with injury again. Andros Townsend is also still out and Ruben Vinagre a doubt.
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