MANCHESTER UNITED have their eye on three Premier League points today at Goodison – but the Toffees’ recent punishment could spur them on that little bit more.
Sean Dyche’s men have plummeted down to 19th following a ten-point deduction for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
And they’ll be desparate to get the win against a United side who are without their suspended boss, Erik ten Hag.
- Kick-off time: 4:30pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
- Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Harrison, Garner, Gueye, McNeil, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin
- Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Mainoo, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial, Garnacho
- Explainer: Why did Everton get a ten-point deduction?
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‘They feel harshly treated’
Gary Neville hasn’t minced his words in the commentary box. The Sky Sports pundit gave his opinion earlier today, and he’s clearly unimpressed with the harshness of Everton’s punishment.
He said: “I can see why Everton fans are extremely annoyed.
“Did that offence warrant the largest sporting sanction that the Premier League have ever handed out? Compared to some of the offences we’ve seen, where the top clubs have been scooting behind each other’s backs, trying to work out a way to destroy the ethos of English and European football.
“From my point of view, they feel harshly treated after the six clubs that tried to walk away with the crown jewels got fined £3.5m, we accept it’s a different offence. I can see why they’re annoyed. Is it a start of a new wave of authority from the Premier League?”
Interesting
Should be interesting to see James Garner up against Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park today. Both products of United’s youth system of course.
Garner, 22, has played every minute of the 14 games he has started for Everton this season and is quietly going about his business, earning plaudits for his displays.
You would seriously have to think he would be a starter at Old Trafford these days.
Anyway, asked about his relationship with Ten Hag, Garner revealed: “Erik ten Hag is a very approachable man, but very strict.
“He doesn’t allow anyone to break the rules. He tells it like it is and punishes people who have done wrong.
“I simply asked him if I was going to be part of the group or if he saw me playing a role. I felt that the conversation had not gone as well as I wanted and I made the decision to leave.”
Credit: getty Baptism of fire
What a test for young Kobbie Mainoo!
The 18-year-old makes his first Premier League start for Manchester United in what’s likely to be a bear pit at Goodison Park today. Supporters have high hopes for the teenager.
Great for him, not exactly a ringing endorsement for Sofyan Amrabat.
Should do the trick. Call off the lawyers.
‘We were all shocked’
Sean Dyche has written a message for Evertonians in today’s match programme.
He reiterates that ‘we were all shocked’ by the 10-point deduction and intend to appeal the decision.
He added: “Our form is encouraging and the feelings of our recent performances have been good, backed incredibly by your support both home and away. We are locking in a strong mentality and the challenge for us now is to continue building the positive momentum.
“The goal for us doesn’t change. We have to win football matches.
“I said when I became manager that we have to learn to win and do so in different ways. Our 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace last time out was a brilliant example of that. I know we can play better than we did at Selhurst Park.
“We can deal with the ball better, particularly looking at the second half, but the resilience and teamsmanship is growing all the time. I know, as always, you will be with us all the way.”
Credit: GETTY Update
Aston Villa are leading Tottenham 2-1 thanks to Ollie Watkins’ second-half strike.
If it remains that way, Unai Emery’s side will move into fourth position – two points behind leaders Manchester City. Just over 20 minutes remaining in that one.
Team news
Everton make one change from their dramatic late win at Selhurst Park before the international break.
Midfielder Amadou Onana has a calf strain isn’t fit enough to feature in the squad, but Seamus Coleman returns to the bench for the first time this season.
Manchester United welcome back Luke Shaw following a long spell out through injury.
He’s one of three changes that also sees teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo make his first Premier League start, and Anthony Martial comes in for Rasmus Hojlund, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
Credit: getty Starting XI
Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Doucoure, Gueye, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil
Subs: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Coleman, Hunt, Danjuma, Dobbin, Chermiti
Manchester United XI: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
Subs: Bayindir, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Reguilon, Van de Beek, Amrabat, Hugill, Mejbri, Pellestri
Suspended
I guess this is team news, of sorts.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not be on the touchline this afternoon after accumulating three yellow cards this season.
And he’s taken the opportunity to sport a snazzy grey flat cap and turtleneck combo. Should blend in nicely at Goodison…
The Dutchman will be watching from the stands, meaning his assistant Mitchel van der Gaag will lead the side. Oh, and Steve McClaren will also be knocking about.
Credit: getty
Team news
The starting XI’s will be arriving shortly, folks.
What do we reckon then? A return for Luke Shaw? Everton unchanged from their 3-2 win over Crystal Palace? We’ll find out very soon indeed.
Protest
As mentioned, Everton supporters will be protesting the Premier League’s 10-point deduction this afternoon.
50,000 pink cards have been printed showing the Premier League logo alongside the caption: ‘corrupt’. Most of those will be handed to supporters outside the stadium.
Cards will be held up before the clash during the Premier League anthem, and again in the 10th minute. There’s also enormous banners being draped around the ground and inside.
Everton fans also paid for a plane to fly over the Etihad Stadium yesterday with the banner ‘Premier League = corrupt’. Not shown on Sky Sports, however…
Credit: getty Credit: getty Credit: getty Elsewhere
Not sure if you’ve been following, but this Tottenham vs Aston Villa match is absolutely bonkers.
About 16 sitters missed in the opening 28 seconds (slight exaggeration), another injury for Rodrigo Bentancur and three Villa bookings… but it’s 1-1 at the break.
I suspect we’ll see a few more goals before the full-time whistle. I’ll keep you posted.
Welcome
Well here we are.
It’s been just over a week since Everton were hit with the biggest sanction in Premier League history.
And the sense of injustice is burning just as bright as when the decision was announced. Trust me.
The Toffees have raised more than £33,000 to go towards protests over their 10-point deduction handed down by the Premier League.
And those objections will be visible for all to see this afternoon.
Everton supporters have promised a hostile atmosphere at Goodison Park, so it’s not exactly an ideal time for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United to visit.
Credit: GETTY
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
