Preview: Monday Night Football from Old Trafford
Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night as Ruben Amorim’s side look to continue their unbeaten run.
By Matt Smith
The Toffees picked up an impressive 2-0 victory at home to Fulham last time out, while the Red Devils secured a point thanks to a late equaliser against Tottenham in their previous game.
The last competitive meeting between the two sides ended in a stalemate, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte both scoring in the second half to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
Team news
United will be without Benjamin Šeško after he picked up a knee injury against Tottenham last time out, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are also likely unavailable. Matheus Cunha picked up an injury in training at the weekend, so he’s a doubt for the home side.
David Moyes recently confirmed that Merlin Rohl had undergone a minor surgery for a hernia problem, so he’s set to be on the treatment table for the next few weeks. Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson remain out.
Man Utd struggling to convert
Producing opportunities hasn’t been an issue for United this season, but they might feel that they could be battling in the European places if they were a little more clinical in front of goal. The Red Devils have produced 5.1 shots on target per match, more than high-flying Arsenal, but they’ve converted just 12% of them.
Amorim has been looking to find a solution with Cunha regularly playing in a centre-forward role, but there’s a chance he is forced to deploy someone like Joshua Zirkzee, with Cunha a doubt and Šeško injured. There have certainly been signs of improvement for United this season, but they are far from perfect.
Everton blunt in front of goal
Everton’s production in front of goal is that of a relegation-threatened side this season. The Merseyside club have scored just 1.1 goals per game, ranking them 18th in the Premier League table. Moyes’ men have been creating more chances under him this term, predominantly due to the form of Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish.
Luckily for Everton, they’ve conceded just 1.2 goals per game, but they’ll have to start producing in the final third if they want to climb the table. A win would see Everton climb above Liverpool for the first time this season.
Mbeumo to take the responsibility
If Cunha is unavailable, there will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Bryan Mbeumo in the attack. No player has scored more for United than the Cameroonian international this season, finding the back of the net four times in his last four games.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Amorim deploy him in a false nine role if Cunha is out. With Šeško also on the treatment table, that leaves United with just Zirkzee as a natural striker, but Amorim clearly doesn’t fancy the Dutch forward.
Prediction
Moyes’ record against the bigger sides hasn’t been great in his career, so we’re going for a 2-1 win to United at Old Trafford.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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