It seems like we are saying this every week, but the fact remains that each game United plays between now and the end of the season is a must win if they hope to have any chance of a top four finish and Champions League football next season.
The win over Manchester City at the Etihad before the international break has given Louis van Gaal’s men the belief that they may just be able to just scrape by their neighbours and a surprisingly determined West Ham following the Hammers only managing a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace yesterday.
United still however must travel to Upton Park and also face a tough test against high-flying Tottenham, which means the Red Devils cannot afford to drop points at home to the likes of Everton.
This afternoon’s game should give United an opportunity to score goals, something they have struggled with of late scoring just four times in their last six matches.
Team News
Club Captain Wayne Rooney is hoping to return to full training within the next ten days so will not be available to play against his former club.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is however available after playing for England Under-19s this week, while Daley Blind played 90 minutes for the Netherlands, which puts to bed any fears that he was struggling with a hamstring problem.
Defensive midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has now been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a partial tear of his medial ligament, which may even see him unavailable to play for Germany during this summer’s European Championships.
Some good news for United is that Luke Shaw has targeted May for his return to action, and could be back training with the first team as early as next week.
Meanwhile Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are also available with us picking the Spaniard to be in LVG’s starting XI.
United’s back four almost pick themselves with a big question mark looming over Marcus Rojo and whether or not he will still be at Old Trafford next season.
Herrera and Schneiderlin will be called upon to control midfield with Juan Mata given the No.10 playmaker spot as Martial, Lingard and Rashford put the Toffee’s to their test with their lightning pace.
Not to take anything away from Everton and the danger Romelu Lukaku presents as we have seen in their impressive away record that makes it almost guaranteed that Roberto Martinez’s men plan to test United’s back four and David De Gea.
Have a look at our line-up below and see if you think we have got it right.
