Manchester United welcome Roberto Martinez’s Everton side to Old Trafford this Sunday in what is arguably Louis van Gaal’s first real test as manager of United as the Toffees look to replicate last term’s domestic double over United.

United head into Sunday’s fixture with no real let-up on the injury front with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans all still missing. However Marouane Fellaini returned to full training this week although Van Gaal stated in his pre-match press conference that the former Everton man is not yet ready to play ninety minutes.

Given Wayne Rooney’s three match suspension for violent conduct, it is likely Juan Mata will come into the starting eleven at the tip of United’s 4-4-2 diamond.

Everton have injury problems of their own with Kevin Mirallas’ hamstring problem suffered during last weekend’s Merseyside derby likely to keep the Belgian winger out for up to eight weeks. Seamus Coleman is still a potential injury doubt after missing the midweek trip to Krasnodar.

The visit of Everton represents the first real test of the progress United have made from last season. Of course it is very easy to see the club has strengthened greatly going forward but given the fact Everton will be a team challenging United for a top four spot come the end of the campaign, it is vitally important United establish a dominance over the teams around them.

In the two matches between the clubs last season Everton richly deserved all six points. The first tie came in December at Old Trafford and whilst the Toffees rode their luck at times, the play on the counter attack was first rate. At Goodison Park in early April, it had become abundantly clear United’s players had given up the ghost as it were with manager David Moyes dismissed a couple of days after the 3-0 defeat.

On Sunday it is important for United to match Everton’s style of football and perhaps ever better it. United have to control the ball and restrict the influence the likes of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry can have on proceedings. The absence of Ander Herrera with a fractured rib will certainly hinder United’s pressing game when not in possession which could work to Everton’s advantage.

United’s aforementioned defensive injury crisis leaves 19-year-old Paddy McNair in the starting eleven with Romelu Lukaku likely to target the teenager and look to force a mistake. There is a considerable level of responsibility upon the shoulders of Marcos Rojo to lead the defensive line and guide McNair through such a test.

Everton face a different challenge this weekend, having landed back from their Europa League trip to Russia at around 3am on Friday morning. Van Gaal was quick to suggest the promise of playing against Manchester United at Old Trafford would far outweigh the affects of fatigue although Martinez labelled the early kick-off time on Sunday as ‘a bit of a disappointment’.

Depending on how other results go, a victory for Manchester United on Sunday could take Van Gaal’s charges into the top four for the first time since the early stages of the 2013-14 season, whilst Everton following a disappointing defeat at home by Crystal Palace could leapfrog United into seventh with an away victory.



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