Ahead of Monday’s trip to Old Trafford, we create an XI made up of players who featured for both clubs.
Goalkeeper – Tim Howard
The USA international joined the Toffees from United in 2006. Initially a season-long loan, the move was made permanent a year later and Howard would spend the next decade in goal at Goodison.
A solid servant for the club and best remembered for his goal against Bolton and that fingertip save against Southampton.
Right-back – James Garner
A Manchester United academy product, Garner joined the Toffees in 2022 and has become an indispensable utility player. Already this season he’s featured in midfield, at left-back and right-back.
Centre-back – Michael Keane
Another academy product at United. Keane joined the Blues from Burnley in 2017. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the England international. However, it’s fair to say he’s having something of a renaissance in a blue shirt this season.
Arguably one of the best finishers we’ve had at the club in recent years, he’s already got two goals this year. His last-minute thunderstrike against Spurs in front of the Gwladys will always stick out for me.
Centre-back – Phil Neville
Not a centre-back, of course. However, for the purpose of this exercise I’ve had to slot him in next to Keano. He did play there on rare occasions for Everton, during times of an extreme injury crisis. However, he most prominently featured in central midfield or at full-back.
Moyes’ utility player and captain for much of his time at the club. Perhaps most remembered for scoring the odd worldie and taking out Ronaldo in front of the Bullens.
Left-back – Ashley Young
Young joined the Toffees, ironically, at the age of 38. Despite his advanced years, he spent two good years at Goodison Park. a 20-yard free-kick against Wolves at the age of 39 & five months made him Everton’s oldest goalscorer.
Central midfield – Darron Gibson
A bit of a ‘what might have been’ type of player. No doubt the Irishman had ability, but the lad couldn’t stay fit from one week to the next.
His winning goal against Manchester City in front of the Gwladys will always bring back fond memories though.
Central midfield – Marouane Fellaini
A totemic player for Everton. I was devastated when he went to United. There’s no doubt his best football was played at Goodison Park, with one of his most memorable performances coming against United in 2012.
Very much a ‘he’s good with his feet, for a big man’ type of player. A great first touch and all elbows. Scored some important goals and threw the head in on Ryan Shawcross.
Right-wing – Andrei Kanchelskis
Technically speaking, one of the most gifted players to play for the club. It’s only a shame his time at the Blues was so short.
Top scorer in his first season at Goodison with 16 goals, including a brace in the derby. A shortcut to cult hero status if ever there was one.
Left-wing – Wayne Rooney
Not a winger, obviously, but the lad could play anywhere. Probably the most gifted English player to grace the game and made world class defenders turn to jelly at the age of 16.
He came back, briefly, but it wasn’t the same. The hat-trick against West Ham was decent though.
Forward – Louis Saha
A top, top player, albeit cursed with injuries. Saha was as graceful a centre-forward as I’ve seen at the club and probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
Four goals in a 5-3 win against Blackpool and the record breaking goal in the 2009 FA Cup highlight are particular highlights.
Forward – Romelu Lukaku
Never actually replaced this lad, have we? Again, his best football was played at the Blues, though he’s done well in Italy to be fair.
A truly natural goalscorer. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for one of them now.
Manager – David Moyes
Obviously.