Everton are finally back in action tonight against Manchester United – and it will be an interesting evening for Nathan Patterson.
The Toffees host the Red Devils under the lights at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and are hoping to end their winless run at home.
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Predicted XI Everton vs Man United
Credit: GRV Media
Everton have not won at their waterfront stadium since beating Nottingham Forest on December 6, and fans have started to grow a little concerned.
Tonight, Moyes’ starting XI will be very interesting, because he has a full squad to choose from barring the injured Jack Grealish and suspended Jake O’Brien.
A lot of eyes will be on who replaces O’Brien at right-back, and it simply has to be Nathan Patterson.
Nathan Patterson should consider Everton future if he doesn’t start vs Man United
Nathan Patterson ahead of playing for Everton.
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
There are a number of options tonight for Moyes regarding the right-back position.
James Garner played there earlier this season, and moved there after O’Brien got his red card against Bournemouth.
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Moyes has said Seamus Coleman is fit and available to play, and that would certainly leave some fans perplexed.
And we also know that Moyes is not opposed to playing a centre-back, meaning maybe it’s not out of the question Michael Keane may play there.
But Nathan Patterson is the natural option and simply has to play there tonight, as there are no good reasons why he shouldn’t.
Patterson did great on his first Premier League start of the season against Forest, which so happened to be Everton’s last home win.
He then had solid games against Sunderland in the FA Cup, and then Aston Villa and Leeds United in the Premier League.
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Can the Toffees finally halt their winless run at the Hill Dickinson Stadium? 🙏
A custom image showing Everton's recent results against Manchester United.
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
That he then lost his place against Brighton, with Moyes using four centre-backs in defence, was really harsh on him. And the Scot was then an unused substitute in the last two games against Fulham and Bournemouth.
So despite some good showings, Moyes was clearly hesitant to use him, preferring to shoehorn O’Brien in.
Simply put, tonight if Moyes doesn’t deploy him there, then that should tell Patterson everything he needs to know.
He should start and deserves to. If he doesn’t, then he needs to consider his future at the club.
Patterson has already had transfer interest
With that said, Patterson may not be short of suitors this summer.
There was talk of him potentially departing in the January window, with Bologna having shown an interest in Patterson.
It was also claimed that Wolves – who’ll likely be relegated – showed late interest in Patterson.
So the full-back seemingly has clubs looking at him, and he really should be looking at other options if he is snubbed tonight.
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