Everton visit Manchester United Sunday having lost more games against the Red Devils than any other side in the competition United’s 33 Premier League victories over Everton is the second highest total of any single club versus another. United have 34 over Aston Villa.
So it seems like United really have the Toffees number, but not so fast. Ronald Koeman is undefeated against Jose Mourinho, and he has the largest unbeaten body of work against Mourinho of any Premier League manager. Stoke City’s Mark Hughes, who battled Mourinho and United to a draw just last weekend, is the only other boss to go undefeated four in a row against him.
Of course, the main storyline in this one will be the return of Wayne Rooney to Old Trafford, the first time he’ll be in the visitor’s dressing room in 14 years. Romelu Lukaku facing his former club will be the main secondary narrative.
Injuries:
For United, obviously Paul Pogba is the big one, and the latest time table as him “gone till November,” apologies to Wycleaf Jean. Go to this link for much more on that development. Ashley Young was the first of the Red Devils’ long term absentees to return, but Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are still out.
On the other side, Everton do not have any fresh new injury concerns.
Interesting note: If United win or draw this match, it’ll be the first time that they have opened the Premier League season unbeaten through their first five since 2011-12.
Odds: (via Bet Fred) United- 1/3, Draw- 4/1, Everton FC 8/1
Kickoff: 16:00 BST
Mourinho press conference video: go to this link
Man United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Manchester United 1, Everton 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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