Harry Maguire and Mason Mount could return for Michael Carrick as Manchester United visit Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time
Jack Fletcher, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on February 13. Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Jack Fletcher, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on February 13. Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Both Everton and Manchester United could make changes to their defences ahead of their clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
Blues boss David Moyes will be forced to shuffle his back line as he deals with the suspension of Jake O’Brien, who was sent off against Bournemouth last week.
The visitors will certainly be without Patrick Dorgu and are likely to be missing Matthijs de Ligt - though Harry Maguire could be in contention to return after missing the draw with West Ham United through a knock.
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Maguire has since been pictured in training and so could return to face Everton though the game appears set to be too soon for a comeback for de Ligt according to manager Michael Carrick.
Speaking before the West Ham game, Carrick explained: "The Everton game feels like a long time away at the moment, so we'll see how he develops, but he's positive, he's moving in the right direction."
The Netherlands international has been out since Christmas with a back injury and his expected absence next week would prevent the potential for Man Utd to pair the centre backs who tussled with Ashley Young in the final seconds of the draw at Goodison Park last season. Referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot but Everton were denied a last-gasp opportunity to take three points when VAR intervened and the decision was overturned.
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Aside from de Ligt, Dorgu is a long-term absentee with a hamstring injury though Mason Mount is expected to be fit after missing the last two matches.
Everton’s selection crisis of the new year has now subsided and Moyes has recently been able to name a full matchday squad without having to rely on multiple goalkeepers or dip into the academy. He will be without two of the players who stepped up so brilliantly for him in the landmark win at Old Trafford in November, though.
O’Brien will miss the game after his straight red for bringing down Amine Adli in the defeat against Bournemouth, while talismanic loanee Jack Grealish - whose influence was key to success in Manchester - may not play again this season after surgery on a stress fracture to his foot.
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