Everton
- Everton are eighth with 37 points from 26 games, eight points behind Carrick’s men.
- Everton have not won any of their last two home games.
Manchester United
- Manchester United are 4th in the Premier League with 45 points from 26 games.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last five league games (W4, D1) and have won one and tied one of their last two away matches (W1, D1).
- Carrick has brought stability to Manchester United after his January appointment as interim manager and has overseen a more vertical, transition game from the Red Devils that has coincided with the excellent form of Bruno Fernandes, who has four assists in his last five appearances and has been a key figure as United have scored 11 times in that run.
- A compact midfield, coordinated pressing and fast counters have been key features of United’s 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 set-ups under Carrick.
- Bryan Mbeumo is United’s top scorer with nine in 21 league appearances.
Head-to-Head
- Everton have won only one of the last three Premier League games with Manchester United (W1, D1, L1).
- Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford two months ago.
Key Players
- Carrick’s tactical shift has coincided with the excellent form of Bruno Fernandes, who has four assists in his last five appearances and has been a key figure as United have scored 11 times in that run.
- Thierno Barry has scored two of Everton’s last five goals, but Iliman Ndiaye leads the line with five Premier League goals in 20 appearances this season.
- Bryan Mbeumo is United’s top scorer with nine in 21 league appearances.
Betting Insights
- Carrick’s side are short odds to win this match at 1.95, but the 3.5 on offer for an Everton win is very attractive considering the hosts have failed to win their last two at Goodison.
- The Draw at 3.7 looks tempting, too, given Everton have two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five Premier League matches, while Manchester United are four wins and one draw in their last five.
- A 2-1 United win looks likely given Everton’s home record this term, averaging 1.23 goals scored and 1.38 conceded at Goodison.
- Over 2.5 Match Goals at 1.67 is the main selection because both sides are averaging well over a goal per match and the visitors are involved in high-scoring away games.
Prediction
- A 2-1 Manchester United win looks the most likely outcome.
- Main betting pick: Over 2.5 Match Goals at 1.67.
