Everton's starting XI to face Manchester United has been confirmed, with a key decision made over midfielder James Garner
Everton midfielder James Garner will start against Manchester United at full-back
Everton midfielder James Garner will start against Manchester United at full-back(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Everton will start their match against Manchester United without any recognised full-backs as David Moyes shuffles his pack once again.
The Blues boss has had almost two weeks to consider how to deal with the absence of Jake O’Brien, who was sent off while playing right back in the defeat to Bournemouth. He has opted not to go for a specialist full-back, with neither Nathan Patterson nor Seamus Coleman in the starting XI.
Instead, Moyes will once again lean on the versatility of James Garner - arguably one of the most in-form central midfielders in the Premier League - and play him on the right of the defence. Jarrad Branthwaite, meanwhile, will move across to left back with Michael Keane coming into the team.
Keane’s return to the starting line-up (essentially for Mykolenko) is one of three changes made to the team that started against Bournemouth, giving Everton a good platform for a first home win since December before an eight minute second half collapse saw the Cherries take the lead and O’Brien sent off.
Tim Iroegbunam will slot into the midfield to cover Garner’s switch into defence while the other change will see Harrison Armstrong come in for loanee Tyrique George, with the 19-year-old looking set for another stint out wide. The England youth international started the away matches at Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham on the wing.
Everton starting XI: Pickford; Branthwaite, Keane, Tarkowski, Garner; Gueye, Iroegbunam; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong; Barry
Bench: King; Patterson, McNeil, George, Beto, Mykolenko, Dibling, Coleman, Rohl
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