It’s safe to say: Everton are a tough watch.
Yes, they’re tight at the back.
But, goals are even tighter up front.
Yes, Everton have conceded just twice in their last six games.
But the Blues haven’t scored in any of their last three.
Sean Dyche has stabilised the Blues, there’s no doubt about that. But if he wants to be in charge at Bramley Moore, he needs to also show he can progress.
So, with that in mind, how will he set up against a Manchester United side playing their first league home game under the seemingly ultra progressive Ruben Amorim?
Who’s Out?
Some positives!
Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are back in action with the under-21s, with the former having the chance of “possibly” being involved against United - the pair got over an hour each on Friday for Paul Tait's youth side.
As long as both come through the next week unscathed, Everton should have a swathe of strikers to choose from all-of-a-sudden – which will give Dyche the opportunity to show if he can start approaching things more on the front foot.
Seamus Coleman also returned to training this week, but isn’t ready to return just yet.
That leaves just James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam as longer term absentees, although both should return in time for the busy Christmas period.
EVERTON SQUAD AVAILABLE VS MAN UTD
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Virginia, Begovic
Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Coleman (INJURED), Patterson, Young, Dixon
Midfielders: Doucoure, Gueye, Garner (INJURED), Iroegbuman (INJURED), Mangala, Armstrong
Wingers: McNeil, Harrison, Ndiaye, Lindstrom
Attackers: Calvert-Lewin, Beto, Chermiti (INJURED), Broja (DOUBT)
Tactics and Formation
It was a tough watch against Brentford last week, but don’t expect sweeping changes here.
The defence will stay the same, so the only likely changes will come in midfield, with Doucoure and Lindstrøm the candidates to make way.
Possible Mangala for Doucoure and perhaps a return for Harrison in place of Lindstrom.
This might actually be a good game to give Beto a run-out too. If the Blues plan to play on the counter, he’s more adept to making runs in behind the defence than Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Wouldn’t bank on it though.
Broja should be on the bench, so it would be nice to get a first look at him.
Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)
Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Ashley Young – 9/10
Jarrad Branthwaite – 8/10
James Tarkowski – 9/10
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 9/10
Idrissa Gana Gueye – 9/10
Orel Mangala – 6/10
Jack Harrison - 6/10
Dwight McNeil – 8/10
Iliman Ndiaye – 8/10
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7/10
Bench
Joao Virginia
Nathan Patterson
Michael Keane
Jake O’Brien
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Jesper Lindstrøm
Harrison Armstrong
Armando Broja
Beto