Image Source: Getty Images
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 26
Everton v Manchester United
Goodison Park
Liverpool, England
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Kick-off is at 14h30
Manchester United will be desperate for maximum points when they face a resurgent Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, February 22 in the lunchtime kick-off.
The Red Devils' woes under Ruben Amorim continued after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham on February 16 which marked their 12th loss of the season - their worst record at this stage since 1973-74.
A third defeat in four games saw United drop to 15th in the league standings and they are now just 12 points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games left to play.
The Toffees have made a remarkable recovery since David Moyes returned to the helm in January following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Moyes kicked off his second spell on Merseyside with a 1-0 reverse to Aston Villa, but has won four of his next five matches and a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on February 15 extended his team's unbeaten run to five games.
Everton, who found themselves just one point above the drop zone in 16th position when Moyes took over the reins, have leapfrogged United into 14th spot, level on 30 points Palace (13th) and Spurs (12th).
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Moyes still has numerous injuries to contend with for the visit of his former club, as Orel Mangala, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye (all knee), Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Youssef Chermiti, Nathan Patterson (all thigh), Armando Broja (ankle) and Seamus Coleman (calf) are unavailable for selection, although Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from suspension.
Amorim's injury problems worsened with the loss of Amad Diallo (ankle) ahead of the clash at Tottenham. The Ivorian winger joins Lisandro Martinez (knee), Luke Shaw (calf), Mason Mount (thigh), Altay Bayindir, Kobbie Mainoo (muscular) and Jonny Evans (back) on the sidelines. Christian Eriksen, Leny Yoro (both illness), Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer (knock) are all rated doubtful.
Moyes admits there is still some work to be done for them to retain their top-flight status and he wants to keep improving in key areas despite the club's recent upturn in fortunes.
"I want us to get better - playing better, scoring more goals, making more chances - that's what I'm really pushing now," the Scot said.
"We've still got a bit to do to be safe in the Premier League, but it's certainly looking a lot rosier and it's beginning to look that our new stadium hopefully will be getting used for Premier League games. I have to say, we've got a run of hard games coming up."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Amorim felt he was let down by United's failure to take their chances against Tottenham, acknowledging that was the major difference between the two teams on the day.
"It was the biggest difference of the game, they [Tottenham] scored and we didn't. We had the opportunities to score, then in the first half we pushed a little bit harder," the Portuguese said.
"We suffered in some transitions trying to get a result, but in the end they scored and we didn't. We need to put the ball in the net because we had some chances, we created some chances which is the hardest part.
"In some games we are there near the box but we don't create chances. Today we created the chances but we need to score to win games."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Everton wins - 0
Man United wins - 5
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 26 fixtures:
Friday, February 21
22h00: Leicester City v Brentford
Saturday, February 22
14h30: Everton v Manchester United
17h00: Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17h00: Arsenal v West Ham United
17h00: Fulham v Crystal Palace
17h00: Ipswich Town v Tottenham Hotspur
17h00: Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion
19h30: Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sunday, February 23
16h00: Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest
18h30: Manchester City v Liverpool
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