Everton will look to push further clear from the relegation zone on Saturday when they host Manchester United at Goodison Park in a lunch-time kickoff.
The Toffees have enjoyed a renaissance in form under returning boss David Moyes, winning four and drawing one in their last five Premier League games. They are now a team on the up and head into this game on the back of a 2-1 away success over Crystal Palace.
On the other hand, it is no secret that the Red Devils are enduring a historically poor Premier League campaign. They suffered their eighth league defeat under new boss Ruben Amorim on Sunday—a 1-0 away defeat to Tottenham—which led to them dropping to 15th in the table. Amorim’s boys are low in confidence and shockingly enter this contest as the underdogs.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the key battles that could define the outcome of this game.
#Beto vs Harry Maguire
Beto’s Everton career was going nowhere until David Moyes walked in. Now, the 27-year-old centre-forward has netted four goals in his last three outings—including a crucial opener in the 2-2 draw in the heated Merseyside derby at Goodison Park last week.
The Portuguese is in fine nick at the moment and will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a porous Man United defence. Beto will come up against United’s three-man backline, marshalled by Harry Maguire. Similar to Beto, the England international has enjoyed a renaissance in form under the new boss.
Maguire has flourished in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, delivering some notable displays as the main man in defence. So, the onus will largely fall on his shoulders to stop Beto, who should feel confident of bullying the Red Devils’ defence with his pace, strength and aerial ability.
#Bruno Fernandes vs Idrissa Gueye
Bruno Fernandes has often operated in a deeper role under Amorim where his creative qualities on the ball haven’t shone through enough. Due to injuries and illness, he was forced to play as a central midfielder against Tottenham and the United skipper failed to inspire his team to a win.
Come Saturday, unless there are any returnees, Fernandes is expected to partner Casemiro in the double pivot. For Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, Saturday represents a chance to become more integral to Moyes’ plans. Combative and a tenacious tackler, the Senegalese will aim to limit Fernandes’ ability on the ball by affording him very little time and space.
If Gueye can nullify Fernandes, Everton’s chances of beating Man United will immediately become higher.
#Joshua Zirkzee vs Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite had a horrible afternoon in the return fixture at Old Trafford where United smashed Everton 4-0. The defender was guilty of two of United’s four goals at the start of December, so he will be raring to make things right this time around.
On the contrary, Joshua Zirkzee perhaps had his best game in a United shirt on that day, scoring a brace against the Toffees. The Dutchman was arguably United’s best player in the 1-0 defeat to Spurs on Sunday, and after being booed by a minority of fans when he was hooked against Newcastle in January, Zirkzee has responded strongly. While he is not a prolific goalscorer, the 23-year-old can provide value to Amorim’s side—just like he did against Spurs.
So, this promises to be an engaging battle between two powerful and talented athletes, and whoever wins this duel could have a big say in the outcome of the game.