Manchester United will travel to Everton FC on Sunday for a Premier League fixture that sees both sides in dire need of points. Both of these northwest England clubs are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to European football qualification for next season.
United could leapfrog fourth place Arsenal and fifth place Chelsea with a win while ninth place Everton are just a point behind seventh place Leicester City. Reaching seventh could be good enough for a Europa League slot next season.
In looking at the fitness situation, the Toffees could see centre-back and former Barcelona man Yerry Mina potentially return from a thigh injury while ex-United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin faces a late fitness test over his ankle problem.
First team central midfielder Andre Gomes is suspended for stamping on Aleksandr Mitrovic in the Toffees shock loss at relegated Fulham. He’ll miss the next two fixtures after this one.
Speaking of suspension, first choice left-back Luke Shaw remains absent due to his 10th yellow card of the 2018-19 season. He will return in Wednesday’s Manchester derby.
The soon to be property of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ander Herrera looks likely to miss out again because of his groin injury. Chris Smalling suffered a slight tweak to his hamstring in the one-sided midweek loss at Barcelona, but could be okay for this one.
Forward Alexis Sanchez looks poised to make a long-awaited return to Premier League play.
The Chilean is one of several players who could be out the door this summer. A major overhaul could be in the works at Old Trafford.
“We have got a rebuilding job but that starts with the coaches and the players and one or two additions to the squad will happen in the summer,” said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United at Everton FC FYIs
Kick-off: Sunday April 21, Goodison Park, 1:30 pm
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Form Guide: United WLWLW Everton LWWWL
Google Result Probability: United 41% Draw 28% Everton 31%
Odds: United 5/4, Draw 5/2, Everton 9/4
Prediction: United 1, Everton 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.