Everton vs Manchester United

Everton host Manchester United on Sunday 6 September in the Premier League, with both sides aiming to build early momentum in their third fixture of the season. United arrive fresh from a thumping 5-2 home win over Ipswich Town, while Everton have made an encouraging start and must navigate fading transfer interest in attacking star Iliman Ndiaye.

Team News and Injury Latest

United manager Michael Carrick confirmed that Amad will miss out once again. “Amad won’t be involved, he’ll be out for a little bit longer,” Carrick said, with the Ivorian winger not expected back until later in September. Summer signing Carlos Baleba is still carrying an ankle ligament problem from his time at Brighton and is targeting mid‑September for his debut. Mason Mount has returned to full training and is in contention, although his match fitness remains a doubt. Matthijs de Ligt continues to train after November back surgery but is not yet ready, while Benjamin Sesko (shin) and Manuel Ugarte (knee) are longer‑term absentees.

Everton will be without Christian Norgaard, sidelined with a muscle issue, and James Garner is a doubt because of a hernia. Hayden Hackney is also nursing an ankle problem. Ndiaye, who has been the subject of a Manchester City enquiry that David Moyes insists there is no time to reinvest before the deadline, is available and expected to start.

Recent Form and Tactical Shape

Manchester United roared back from an opening‑day defeat by dismantling Ipswich Town. Club captain Bruno Fernandes struck a hat‑trick, Bryan Mbeumo added a fourth and an own goal completed the scoring. Carrick set up in a 4-2-3-1 that saw Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans anchor midfield, with Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Mbeumo supporting striker Matheus Cunha.

Everton have taken four points from their two matches – following a draw and a win – and in both outings the attacking trio of Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall, Thierno Barry and Ndiaye caused problems. Dewsbury‑Hall already has one goal and a team‑high six chances created, while Ndiaye has contributed an assist and four chances created. Moyes is likely to stick with a 4‑2‑3‑1 that uses James Garner and Harry Armstrong in the double pivot, with Dewsbury‑Hall operating behind Barry.

Key Battle: Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall vs Bruno Fernandes

Dewsbury‑Hall has been Everton’s standout performer in the opening fortnight, registering more chances created than any other Everton player and finding the net once. His ability to drift into pockets and deliver from the left half‑space will test a United midfield that looked vulnerable before the Ipswich win.

Bruno Fernandes responded to that early criticism by grabbing three goals from eleven shots against Ipswich, with four efforts on target. He remains United’s pivot in the final third and, with Amad unavailable and Baleba yet to feature, Carrick will again lean heavily on his captain’s goal threat and passing range. The duel between the two number‑10 types could decide where the points go.

Transfer Window Cloud for Everton

Moyes’s pre‑match press conference was dominated by Manchester City’s pursuit of Ndiaye. “I’m saying there’s not much time but I’ll still try to see what we can do,” the Everton manager said when asked about potential departures. “We’re 100% trying to get a right‑back and we will try and do that right up until the end of the window.” Everton remain interested in Jack Grealish, but losing Ndiaye – who has created more chances than any other Toffee – would be a significant blow. For now, Moyes is focused on keeping his squad intact for a fixture that could shape the mood before the first international break.

United travel to Everton with the Manchester City derby on the horizon; a second straight win would send them into that clash with genuine momentum. Everton know a positive result would ease the tension around the final hours of the transfer window and reinforce their own European ambitions.