Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Two sides who had disappointing ends to the summer transfer window meet at Goodison Park on Sunday when Everton host Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Despite completing a midfield rebuild, Man United failed to add another player elsewhere in the squad, despite heavy links with bringing in a new left-back in the final days of the window.
The Red Devils had been linked with the likes of Lewis Hall of Newcastle United and Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, with fans ideally wanting a new addition to arrive following some questionable moments from Luke Shaw in the opening weeks of the new season.
Meanwhile, Everton were involved in a disastrous situation in the closing stages of the transfer window.
Moyes wanted to bring in multiple players in the final days of the window, with Beto, Adam Aznou, Nathan Patterson, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam all leaving the club.
However, the Toffees ended up bringing in only Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jack Grealish, with their striker pursuit a particular disappointment.
At one stage, it looked as though the Merseyside outfit were going to land Folarin Balogun in a big-money deal from Monaco, while they were also linked with Aston Villa's Tammy Abraham and United's Joshua Zirkzee in the final hours, but none of the moves materialised.
It has left Everton short from a squad point of view and particularly up top, where there is now a lot of pressure on Thierno Barry to play regularly and perform.
Moyes' side are unbeaten so far with four points from their two games, while United have won one and lost one of their opening two Premier League fixtures.
Everton Team News
Arsenal's Christian Norgaard walks to training.
Arsenal's Christian Norgaard before a training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, London Colney. Picture date: Tuesday December 9, 2025. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA)
In his pre-match press conference, Moyes failed to cover anything about team news, but summer signing Christian Norgaard is expected to miss out against the Red Devils with an issue, although he is closing in on a return to first-team action.
Elsewhere, Moyes now has Grealish and Maitland-Niles to choose from and he must decide whether he throws them straight into the starting XI or largely sticks with the team who drew 1-1 with Bournemouth last time out.
Everton Predicted XI: Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Garner; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry
Jamie Vardy looks on while playing for Leicester City
Jamie Vardy looks on while playing for Leicester City
Man Utd Team News:
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Benjamin Sesko is closing in on being able to start, having only featured from the substitutes' bench so far, while Mason Mount has trained at Carrington this week after being unavailable since picking up a knock during pre-season.
Meanwhile, Amad Diallo looks set to miss out again, along with Matthijs de Ligt, who has been working with the group as he continues his return from a back injury.
Manuel Ugarte remains a long-term absentee, following the serious knee injury he suffered while representing Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup.
Carrick Drops Team News Update:
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against former Red Devils manager Moyes, Carrick mainly provided an update on the fitness of Sesko.
Ben [Sesko] is improving his fitness all the time. He had some time off which was important to make sure it was right moving forward and no setbacks, you can never guarantee that but give him a chance to be fit.
"He made big strides last season; he’s still young, still adapting to a point, learning, and developing his game. Loads more to come from Ben. It’s just being patient, looking after him and letting him grow into the season."
Man United Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha
Youri Tielemans Manchester United 2026/27
Youri Tielemans Manchester United 2026/27