MANCHESTER UTD VS EVERTON: PREVIEW

Manchester United will be looking for three points on Sunday as they take on Everton who have won three consecutive Premier League games.

United were lucky to only lose 1-0 to Juventus in their midweek Champions League tie after a typically flat performance.

The Red Devils seem to have gained some momentum in the Premier League though and were unlucky not to win at Stamford Bridge last week.

Meanwhile, Everton have seemingly found their feet under Marco Silva.

The Toffees are in eighth position and will be looking to continue their winning ways at Old Trafford.

Source: Sky Sports

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MANAGER'S COMMENTS:

United striker Romelu Lukaku has not scored a goal for United in 8 games - the longest goal drought he has had since joining from Everton in 2016.

Despite the Belgian's poor form, Mourinho still believes his striker is more than capable of leading the line and regaining his lost confidence in front of goal:

"I always feel, I always feel that every game. One day will be and one day he will score and one day his confidence levels will be back to normal, which clearly they are not there but I always feel that. "

Mourinho has been critical of United's lack of investment in the past and he spoke briefly about Everton's transfer activity and how United's ambitions are similar to the Toffees':

“Difficult, incredible investment. We knew the club would move in that direction, very good players, players from Barcelona. So that is the level which Everton wants to reach. Their ambitions are very similar to our ambitions.”

Mourinho gave his opinion on his opposite number and compatriot, Marco Silva and explained the pair's friendship:

“Good friends. You know Marco now, I understand the questions when he was coming from Olympiakos I think but now I don’t understand the questions.

"He is the third club in the country third season in the PL you all know Marco, the only thing I want to say is yes we are good friends, in football it is difficult to feed that relationship between managers because our life is not an easy one and we can’t have conversations every day but he’s a good boy and I know I feel he has the same kind of feelings towards me.”

Silva's side are one of the most in-form in the Premier League and their well-earned win at Crystal Palace last week showed their grit and determination.

Despite the good run of results, Silva insisted it is still a 'process':

"It is a process. There are many new things for our players but we showed strong character and patience last week. You believe until the end. You have to be strong until the end."

The Everton boss also said he was very wary of Mourinho's side but reassured fans that his players will 'perform at their maximum' against United:

"Man United are always dangerous. They're a strong side, for me there's no doubts about that. We have to do everything we can to achieve a good result and stop them.

"Nothing changes in our plan [vs Man United]. We've prepared every week to perform at our maximum. Our ambition will be the same, we know they are a very good team but we're going there to compete."

Source: The Independent

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TEAM NEWS:

United forward Alexis Sanchez missed out against Juventus in midweek and it appears the Chilean is still suffering from an injury that will keep him out for this one.

Diogo Dalot and Marouane Fellaini are also out but Mourinho said Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay could both return.

Everton have no injury concerns and Silva may pick an unchanged XI to face United.

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STATS:

Everton have failed to beat Manchester United in seven attempts in all competitions, their last win came in April 2015 with a 3-0 home victory.

Manchester United have scored 98 goals and won 35 games against Everton in the Premier League, more than they have against any other opponent.

United's current PL goal difference is -1 meaning it's the first time they have had a negative goal difference after nine games since the 1990-91 season.

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BETTING ODDS:

United win: 7/10

Everton win: 19/5

Draw: 11/4