It hasn’t been a quiet Saturday at Everton, even with the transfer window finally closed.
Questions surrounding The Friedkin Group have continued, David Moyes’s extraordinary admission about Dan Friedkin has given Evertonians plenty to discuss, and some familiar names have been linked with a possible future takeover battle.
But by the end of today, attention really should be turning towards football.
Manchester United arrive at the Hill Dickinson tomorrow, and Moyes has issued something of a rallying cry to the supporters.
Here are today’s main Everton news and talking points.
Moyes and Friedkin – an extraordinary admission
Perhaps the most striking Everton story today concerned a conversation that has never actually happened.
Moyes revealed that he has neither met nor spoken directly to owner Dan Friedkin since returning to Everton in January 2025.
The manager’s principal contact at the club is chief executive Angus Kinnear, while Rishi Majithia also provides a link to the ownership.
There is nothing unusual about an owner delegating the day-to-day running of a football club, but Moyes himself acknowledged that successful clubs need to be aligned.
After the way Everton’s transfer window ended, the revelation inevitably raises further questions about how closely connected the different levels of the club really are.
Moyes, importantly, sounded anything but ready to walk away. He spoke warmly about his return to Everton and made it clear how much being back at the club has reinvigorated him.
Familiar takeover names could return
The ownership discussion took another turn today.
TFG are already known to be working with advisers as they seek fresh investment, with the process potentially resulting in a significant stake in Everton changing hands.
A View From The Bullens has now suggested that if the process ever developed into a complete sale, some familiar names could potentially return to the picture.
Andy Bell and George Downing and MSP Sports Capital were among those mentioned, alongside other American investors and completely new bidders who could be attracted by Everton’s Premier League status and the Hill Dickinson.
There is no suggestion that any of those parties has submitted a new bid, and Bell and Downing were reported this week not to be pursuing an Everton investment at present.
For now, this remains one to watch rather than another takeover battle.
What would constitute a good start?
On the pitch, things have actually gone rather well.
Everton have four Premier League points from games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth and remain unbeaten in all competitions after also beating Preston 4-0 in the Carabao Cup.
As we explored earlier today, five points from the opening three league games would be a good start. Seven would be an excellent one.
Beating Manchester United would also mean Everton had won their opening two home Premier League matches at the Hill Dickinson and would send Moyes’s side into the next stage of the season with some genuine momentum.
Moyes has some big decisions to make
Tomorrow’s team selection is particularly intriguing.
Jack Grealish is pushing for his second Everton debut, but Tyrique George has made a strong case to retain a place in the side.
Hayden Hackney must also be getting close to his first start, while Moyes has a decision to make at right-back between Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jake O’Brien.
Brennan Johnson is another strong candidate to start following the departure of Iliman Ndiaye.
Our predicted Everton XI has George starting ahead of Grealish, although that looks like one of several genuinely close calls for Moyes.
He may have a small squad, but there are still some interesting decisions to make within it.
Moyes calls on Evertonians
And this feels like the right place to finish.
Moyes spoke passionately about Evertonians when discussing the difficult end to the transfer window.
He believes the supporters can be hugely powerful for his players and admitted his depleted squad will need something extra from them.
As we argued earlier, tomorrow is the chance for the Hill Dickinson to answer Moyes’s call.
The frustration over Deadline Day hasn’t disappeared. Nor have the questions surrounding TFG.
They can wait for 90 minutes.
Tomorrow afternoon Manchester United walk into the Hill Dickinson with Everton unbeaten and Moyes asking Evertonians to show just how powerful this place can be.
After a week dominated by discussions about transfers, owners and money, that sounds like a considerably better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
For updates on the Toffees throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
Familiar names could return if Everton investment search becomes full takeover
Familiar names could return if Everton investment search becomes full takeover
What would represent a good start for Everton after three games?
What would represent a good start for Everton after three games?