Man Utd vs Everton: Premier League team news and prediction

A run of three defeats in the last five in all competitions isn't a great return for Manchester United, who saw their unbeaten start to the league season draw to a close last weekend. They do have a decent record against Everton as they look to move top, albeit potentially temporarily, in Saturday's early kick off. 

Ahead of this one, we provide all the pre-match information, including where to watch the game, what time it kicks off, team news and probable XIs... 

When is kick off?               

Saturday 2nd October, 12:30 GMT               

Where is the match?               

Old Trafford, Manchester 

What TV channel is it on?               

BT Sport 1 

Season So Far 

After an unbeaten start to the league campaign, picking up 13 points from the opening five league matches of 2021/22, Manchester United fell to their first defeat of the season last weekend. Kortney Hause put Aston Villa ahead at Old Trafford with two minutes to play, but the key moment came in second half injury time as Bruno Fernandes blazed a late penalty over the bar. 

Everton ended a miserable week on a high as they got their domestic campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over relegation-fodder Norwich last weekend. The Toffees saw their unbeaten start to the campaign come to an abrupt, also at the hands of Villa, a couple of weeks ago, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by QPR days later. The Toffees haven't won at Old Trafford since 2013, a record they'll hope to change here. 

Team News 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the 2-1 win over Villarreal as he was suspended, but he should return at right-back for the welcome of Everton. Harry Maguire is absent, with Victor Lindelof set to partner Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence. Marcus Rashford is back in full training, though this one comes too soon for the England international. Amad Diallo and Luke Shaw sit this out, which should see Alex Telles continue in the latter's absence. Given the quick turnaround in matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may rotate in personnel, with Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic potentially coming into the side. 

Everton boss Rafa Benitez still has a lengthy injury list to contend with as Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph continue the miss out. The former duo's unavailability means Salomon Rondon will continue to lead the charge. Jordan Pickford and Lucas Digne returned to the starting XI following the spell on the sidelines, though Pickford, like Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Alex Iwobi, is a doubt here. 

Probable XIs 

Man Utd (4231) - De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Matic, Fred; Greenwood, Lingard, Pogba; Cavani

Everton (4411) - Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Townsend, Doucoure, Allan, Digne; Gray; Rondon

Key Battle: Mason Greenwood vs Demarai Gray

After a lightening start to the season, netting in the opening three league games of the season, Mason Greenwood has gone off the boil in recent weeks. Indeed, the youngster has now gone five games without a goal, a streak he'll seek to end against Everton on Saturday. The 20-year-old did score against Everton in pre-season so there is previous with the Toffees.

What a signing Demarai Gray has proven to be already. The 25-year-old fell by the wayside after his move to Leicester in 2016, but rediscovered his rhythm with Bayer Leverkusen earlier this year. A £1.7m capture from the Bundesliga side, Gray has made a sprint start to life with Everton, scoring three league goals, and the Toffees star will be out to add to his return and head into the international break on a high.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Everton