Our Everton writers select their starting XIs for tonight's big Premier League clash at home to Manchester United
Nathan Patterson during Everton training at Finch Farm. Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC
Nathan Patterson during Everton training at Finch Farm. Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC
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Everton return to Premier League action tonight when they welcome in-form Manchester United to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time (8pm kick-off). It's a big game for both teams.
A point or a fifth victory in six matches for interim manager Michael Carrick would haul United into the top four. For Everton, meanwhile, a first home win in front of their own supporters since December 6 would move them level on points with Brentford in seventh.
So a lot to play for, then. But with every member of his squad available bar the injured Jack Grealish and the suspended Jake O’Brien, what should Blues boss David Moyes do with his starting line-up?
Our Everton writers have their say...
Joe Thomas
I think this might be David Moyes' most straightforward selection in a long time, largely because the issue of who to start at right-back should be a formality.
The suspension of Jake O'Brien surely paves the way for the return of Nathan Patterson to the starting line-up. I think Patterson was unfortunate to lose his place after the win at Aston Villa and he would make my XI tonight.
I wondered whether it would be time for Idrissa Gueye to have a break after Bournemouth - his 36-year-old legs looked a little off the pace come that match, understandable after he was thrown straight back into Everton's season the moment he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations. The near-fortnight break should have helped him recharge, though, and given the attacking strength of Manchester United, I would start him alongside James Garner.
That only really leaves the question of Tyrique George on the left or Tyler Dibling on the right, with Iliman Ndiaye fitting in accordingly. George appears to have the upper hand since joining and looked lively off the bench at Fulham.
He was less effective last time out but I want Ndiaye where he can be most effective and I think this would be on the right if, with Patterson behind him, he had the support of a full-back who overlaps.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
Chris Beesley
Perhaps I’m really stupid here by going against a trio of former Everton stars, Michael Ball, Alan Stubbs and the legendary Peter Reid, but I actually believe there is merit in deploying James Garner as right-back against Manchester United.
It’s not something that I’d be championing on a long-term basis, as Garner himself prefers to be in central midfield and his performances this season have gone up a couple of levels, fully justifying his new contract on improved terms, but the fact is that right-back remains a problem position for the Blues.
Club captain Seamus Coleman revolutionised the position by ushering in the modern role of the more attack-minded full-back after he replaced Tony Hibbert at a time when Leighton Baines was marauding upfield on the opposite flank during David Moyes’ first spell in charge at Goodison Park.
Unfortunately, at 37, the man who is Everton’s best right-back of the Premier League era, can no longer be depended upon to stay fit. In January 2022, Nathan Patterson was snapped up from Rangers for around £12million with the intention that he’d become Coleman’s long-term successor, but the move to Merseyside just hasn’t worked out for him.
Successive managers, Sean Dyche with Ben Godfrey, and David Moyes with Jake O’Brien, have both chosen to select centre-backs out of position ahead of Patterson, who came close to joining Genoa on transfer deadline day of the winter window. To be fair to the Scotland international, he hasn’t let anyone down when he’s filled in during recent times and hopefully he can produce another steady performance if he does get the nod against the Red Devils.
However, given that he’s ultimately deemed surplus to requirements with Moyes revealing ahead of the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion that the club have been actively searching for a right-back for over a year, I’d use this opportunity to bring in one of the young midfielders who are champing at the bit.
Garner was imperious at times during Idrissa Gueye’s time at the Africa Cup of Nations and memorably ran the show in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, but since the Senegal international’s triumphant return after lifting the trophy, in truth, neither of them have been on top form.
This game could just break up the partnership for 90 minutes to allow for a reset and provide an opportunity to get back into the side for Harrison Armstrong, who has featured in every game since his season long loan at Preston North End was cut short, but dropped to the bench against Bournemouth after six consecutive starts.
Alternatively, there’s also Merlin Rohl who hasn’t even got back on the pitch after what he and many others considered to be his best display in an Everton shirt to date in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Garner, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Armstrong; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.