Manchester United are searching for back-to-back wins with a strong team to face Everton.
Manchester United v Ipswich Town - Premier League 2026/27
Marcus Rashford has returned to the Manchester United team under Michael Carrick (Image: Getty)
Manchester United head to Everton on Sunday bouyed by their recent 5-2 mauling over Ipswich, though the mood has dampened slightly by an inability to add to the squad before the transfer deadline closed. Despite attempts for Lewis Hall and Rayan Ait-Nouri, Michael Carrick did not get another left-back, but at least the head coach knows the exact squad he will be working with until at least January.
Carrick has a number of decisions to pore over for the trip to Merseyside, including in midfield, where Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo impressed last week. While Benjamin Sesko is pushing for a start at the top of the pitch, possibly raising questions over Marcus Rashford and Matheus Cunha. Here, our Express Sport writers have picked the teams we believe give United the best chance of success at Everton...
If I was Michael Carrick, I’d make only one change from the team that managed victory against Ipswich Town last time out. Harry Maguire has had a poor start to the season but given United are up against the 6ft 5ins Thierno Barry, Carrick might need Maguire’s physicality at the back.
Lisandro Martinez starts again alongside Maguire for his ability on the ball that will help United open up spaces in midfield to turn around and get at Everton. Luke Shaw starts over Noussair Mazraoui but the Moroccan should get a chance to impress in the Champions League in midweek.
Carlos Baleba would have started here for me for his running power against an energetic Everton midfield but he’s injured. So the only change, for me, would be Benjamin Sesko over Matheus Cunha up top. Again, the reasoning is physicality given he will go up against James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite. Cunha can be a handy game-changer off the bench.
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Sesko
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We know how Everton are going to target United. A trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium will be a physical onslaught led by Thierno Barry, James Tarkowski and James Braithwaite, supplemented by the talented Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George.
United need as much physicality as possible and that's why Benjamin Sesko must come into the team. It might be harsh on Matheus Cunha, but he can still provide an impact in the second half, with his towering Slovenian team-mate still getting back to full fitness.
Much was made of John McGinn's recent comments of Youri Tielemans on The Overlap, where the Aston Villa man praised his former colleague for his athleticism and professionalism. That may be true, and partnerships of Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo can work against the likes of Ipswich at home, but Premier League away days are a different animal.
In the future this would be a game for Carlos Baleba, but for now, the tenacious Andrey Santos must return.
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Sesko
Manchester United v Ipswich Town - Premier League 2026/27
Benjamin Sesko could lead the line against Everton. (Image: Getty)
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Why change a winning team?
United showed just how clinical they can be in the second half against Ipswich and if they can reach that level against Everton, they'll have a great chance of coming away with three points.
The only question mark is Luke Shaw, who picked up a knock against the Tractor Boys, but it seems he'll be fine to play on Sunday. If, for whatever reason, he doesn't make the cut, expect Patrick Dorgu to feature on the left side of defence.
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.