Image from Sky Sports

On Sunday, Manchester United travel to Goodison Park to face Everton. The game sees, a 5th placed United side take on a 11th placed Everton side, though the sides are only separated by 5 points.

Though the table says United are the favourites for the game, recent history is in favour of Everton. They have won four of their last seven Premier League home games against Manchester United, including a 4-0 victory last season, one of United’s worse performances in recent history. Additionally, it has been 13 months since the Red Devils claimed back-to-back away victories in the top flight, meaning this will be a test for the Red Devils.

In terms of team news, Sergio Romero started in the Europa League win on Thursday night but David De Gea is expected to be recalled between the sticks on Sunday. Victor Lindelof is likely to be recalled alongside Harry Maguire after being rested on Thursday. Luke Shaw has found some form of late so he may keep his place ahead of Brandon Williams at left-back against Everton while Wan Bissaka is expected to start once again.

Nemanja Matic has been in good form of late and is pushing hard for recall to the team after being named on the bench in the Europa League tie. However, Fred is expected to keep his place, alongside the returning McTominay, after bagging a late brace for Man Utd against Brugge. Moreover, in midfield, Paul Pogba is still out with injury, however Bruno Fernandes is expected to make another start at the weekend, hoping to continue his fine form since he joined.

The bad news for United is that Martial is said to be struggling with a thigh injury and is a major doubt for Sunday’s trip to Everton. January signing Odion Ighalo, who scored on his full debut last time out, is expected to continue up front in Martial’s absence while Daniel James should keep his place on the wing.

Marcus Rashford is still recovering from a back injury, so Mason Greenwood could be handed a recall in the United attack with Juan Mata dropping to the bench alongside Jesse Lingard.

• In this fixture, Anthony Martial has five goals and two assists against Everton, more than any of the other current player for either team
• Manchester United could keep a fourth Premier League clean sheet in a row, the first time since January 2018
• A win would see Manchester United move to 44 points, six points behind third place Leicester City
• Only three teams have conceded fewer goals than Manchester United (29) this season; Liverpool (17), Sheffield United (25) and Leicester City (28)

Predicted XI: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Williams, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Greenwood, James, Ighalo

Predicted Score: Everton 1-2 Manchester United