Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after dropping points for the first team this season last weekend in a 2-2 draw at Stoke City.
We were comfortable 3-0 winners over FC Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday night, whilst Everton were on the reverse end of the same scoreline in defeat at Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday.
Jose Mourinho was with the suspended Eric Bailly and Phil Jones midweek but did lose Paul Pogba to injury.
Here is the team I think the boss will name to face Everton:
David de Gea
Retained for the Champions League during the week, David de Gea made another excellent save in preserving a clean sheet. The Spaniard is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian was rested midweek and replaced by the impressive Ashley Young. I have no doubt that Antonio Valencia will come back into the starting lineup to offer us good width down the right in attack versus an Everton defence that has shipped six goals in their last two games.
Phil Jones
Made mistakes for both of Stoke’s goals last weekend but I think Phil Jones will keep his place ahead of Chris Smalling this weekend, despite his fellow England international teammate impressing versus the Swiss champions. Jones had been a key part of our three successive clean sheets to start the season previously.
Eric Bailly
One of the best defenders in the Premier League, Eric Bailly’s suspension earned him a rest midweek and he’ll be fresh to face up to Wayne Rooney and co on Sunday.
Daley Blind
Whilst Luke Shaw is lacking match fitness and Marcos Rojo sidelined, Daley Blind could now find himself under some pressure from Ashley Young after his performance midweek. However, Young has only just returned from injury so it may come too early for the 32-year-old to start two games in quick succession. Daley Blind is also a better defensive option versus Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Nemanja Matic
Davy Klassen has yet to settle into the English game but he is still capable of being a very good goal threat from centre midfield. Nemanja Matic will have a busy game hoping to dominate possession against the likes of Sigurdsson, Idrissa Gueye and Wayne Rooney. The Serbian hasn’t let us down so far.
Ander Herrera
Mourinho has a big decision to make in who partners Nemanja Matic in midfield following Paul Pogba’s injury. I believe we will go with a 4-2-3-1 formation despite switch to a 4-3-3 last weekend. Everton’s defence is there for the taking and I think the boss will go with the possession game of Ander Herrera over former-Everton star Marouane Fellaini. Michael Carrick is yet to play a single minute this season and is a more defensive option than the aforementioned pair. Herrera will be a good compliment to Matic as the duo have the ability to control the ball and dictate the play on Sunday.
Juan Mata
Everton have had a lot of defensive issues since the international break and Juan Mata could be the perfect player to unlock them down the right wing. Leighton Baines has been named in Ronald Koeman’s starting lineup for all four Premier League matches so far and whilst his attacking threat could spark Mourinho to play a more defensive option here, I firmly believe our Spanish playmaker is best suited to taking the game to Baines and co.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko both had good opportunities for Spurs in their 3-0 thrashing of Everton and Goodison Park last weekend and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be fancied to get his first goal of the season this weekend as a result. The Armenian has played a key role in unlocking opposing defences in the early games and don’t be surprised to see more defence-splitting passes from Mkhitaryan in this one.
Marcus Rashford
Anthony Martial started down the left midweek whilst Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score on his Champions League debut. The 19-year-old should get the nod in this one and whilst his pace could be countered by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, if he sees one-on-one match ups versus Ashley Williams or Phil Jagielka in central defence then Rashford could get in good goalscoring positions.
Romelu Lukaku
Set to face his former side and with good potential to add more goals to his already impressive start at Manchester United. Harry Kane beat the Everton defence twice last weekend and Romelu Lukaku can expect to see chances in this one.
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Here is the Manchester United team on paper:
