EDITORIALS

Everton Vs Manchester United Preview

Revenge, Redemption and the Top-Four Fight: United Head to Merseyside with a Point to Prove

tunde ajibade February 22, 2026 0
Everton Vs Manchester United Preview
Everton Vs Manchester United Preview

Everton Vs Manchester United Preview

By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent)

Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01

 

13 days without football — how have you been coping as fans? Ready for another gameweek?

 

After a frustrating 1-1 draw against West Ham, United travel to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time this season, looking to correct the wrong of that disappointing 1-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign. As always, we expect a spectacle — not just because it’s Everton vs Manchester United, but because of what’s at stake this weekend. A win is absolutely needed to stay firmly in the top-four race.

 

Everton host a United side sitting three places above them in the table, knowing they have the chance to complete a league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

 

That said, history favours United. The Toffees have suffered more home defeats against Manchester United than against any other opponent. Still, this will be United’s first visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium, and that alone adds a layer of unpredictability to Monday night’s Round 27 clash.

 

From the last match, one thing became clear: we need more than just vibes. We need a top coach. Carrick has done well, but questions remain. The biggest talking point this week, though, is Casemiro’s replacement. It’s everywhere on sports television. The Brazilian wants to leave on a high, and because of that, replacing him is not a small decision.

 

Names being mentioned include Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Varela. Big names. Expensive names. But here’s the real issue — United need two midfielders, because clearly there isn’t full trust in Ugarte. If it were up to me, I’d go for Tonali and Elliot Anderson. What about you?

 

United are unbeaten in nine league matches — a run that started before Carrick took over — but they’ve won four of their last five. Benjamin Šeško rescued a point with a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser against West Ham, the second time he has delivered a crucial late goal this month after his 94th-minute winner against Fulham.

 

United remain ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for fourth and have cut the gap to third-placed Aston Villa to just three points. Champions League football is still very much in their hands.

 

Carrick continues to build his case for the permanent job. United have scored at least twice in every match under him, extending a strong attacking streak. The Red Devils have now scored in 14 consecutive matches in all competitions, last failing to find the net in November — against Everton.

 

Away from home, United have lost just one of their last nine matches.

 

The Opta supercomputer gives United a 47% chance of winning this clash, making them favourites. The travelling fans will expect a positive result in their first visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium as United aim for their 20th away win at Everton and 43rd overall victory against the Toffees.

 

Those numbers — 19 away wins and 42 overall — are already more than United have managed against any other Premier League opponent. A win on Monday would keep them ahead of Chelsea, especially after the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Burnley left the top-four chasers level on points.

 

Everton come into this game after a week off, having been knocked out of the FA Cup and needing time to regroup following their 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth.

 

The Merseyside club haven’t been particularly impressive in performances this season, but they are still within touching distance of a potential top-seven or eight finish and possible European qualification.

 

Their 1-0 win at Old Trafford in November — their first league victory there since December 2013 — was memorable, though overshadowed by Idrissa Gueye’s red card for slapping team-mate Michael Keane. That win also marked a rare success for David Moyes at Old Trafford — the last time Everton beat United in Manchester during the 2013-14 season.

 

Now Moyes will try to get the better of his former club again.

 

However, Everton’s home form at their new stadium hasn’t been convincing. They’ve lost five of their last 10 home matches, winning just three. None of their last five home games have resulted in a win, with defeats to Arsenal, Brentford and Bournemouth included in that run. They’re also searching for their first home clean sheet since a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in early December.

 

Everton are always tough, especially at home, but Bruno Fernandes has a strong record against them. United need this win to stay firmly in the top-four race.

What do you think?

Comment below with your score predictions!

 

Manchester United record against Everton:

Games won:

96

Games drawn:

48

Games lost:

72

 

 

 

Team News:

(As of today 22/02/2026,)

Everton: Jake O’Brien and Jack Grealish out.

Manchester United: De ligt, Mount and Dorgu out.

Prediction:
This is the moment to prove that the West Ham draw was just a minor bump in the road. Come out aggressive, set the tone early, and avenge that frustrating 1-0 defeat earlier in the season. With both teams well-rested, hopefully we get an open game rather than a cagey one.

Everton 1-3 Manchester United

 

 

 

 

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The response was telling. Cryptic social media posts started appearing, and things escalated when Kobbie Mainoo’s brother wore a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt to Old Trafford during the Bournemouth game.   This week, Amorim slightly clarified his stance, saying some players feel entitled, and that mentality is exactly what he’s trying to remove from the club. According to him, these players must understand what it truly means to play for a club like Manchester United. Even Roy Keane backed him, insisting players must earn their minutes.   United do have a proud history of promoting youth, but that has never meant guaranteed starts. If you want to be in the first team, you earn it on the pitch, not through cryptic posts or social media statements. So where do you stand on this situation?   United did preserve their impressive record of not losing match after taking the lead in the first half against Bournemouth, they still haven’t lost a Premier League home game when leading at half-time. But once again, Amorim’s side let multiple advantages slip. Three separate leads gone in an eight-goal rollercoaster says everything about the defensive fragility.   Scoring four goals in back-to-back matches, following the demolition of Wolves, would normally inspire confidence. But with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations, that optimism is quickly replaced by concern, especially after such a poor defensive showing.   Still, United remain within touching distance of the top four heading into Gameweek 17. And for all their flaws, they’ve been entertaining away from home, scoring and conceding in each of their last six Premier League away matches.   Villa Park has traditionally been kind to United. Their 18 Premier League wins there is their second-most away against any opponent, only behind Everton. However, Unai Emery masterminded Villa’s last home win over United back in 2022, proof that history alone won’t count for much here.   Aston Villa have been the surprise package in this season’s title race. Heading into the festive period, they’re favourites to extend their winning run, winning 57.2% of Opta’s pre-match simulations. They’re also chasing a 10th consecutive win in all competitions.   Villa have won nine straight home games and already enjoyed a 10-match home winning streak under Emery between March and September 2023. The Spaniard could now become just the second Villa manager to record two separate runs of 10 consecutive home wins, after George Ramsay over a century ago.   There’s still debate about how sustainable Villa’s form really is, though. Emery’s side have been overperforming at both ends of the pitch. Only Tottenham have exceeded their expected goals by a larger margin than Villa this season (+7.9), despite ranking 15th for xG overall and joint-bottom for xG per shot.   Morgan Rogers continues to impress. After scoring twice in the 3-2 win over West Ham, including a stunning long-range winner. He’s now been involved in eight goals in his last 11 Premier League games. Interestingly, all of his last six goal involvements have come away from home.   For United, Bruno Fernandes may operate further forward in Mbeumo’s absence. His free-kick against Bournemouth was outstanding, and he has now both scored and assisted in back-to-back league matches. The last United player to manage that in three consecutive games was Ryan Giggs back in April 2003.   If Fernandes provides an assist here, he’ll make Premier League history. No player has ever assisted in six consecutive away matches, and the Portugal international is currently on five.   At this point, all United fans are really asking for is improvement, defensively and offensively, especially with two of our best attackers away at AFCON. That said, this team has a habit of performing when you least expect it. I genuinely wouldn’t be shocked if they pulled something out of nothing here.   Drop your score predictions below. Manchester United record against Aston Villa: Games won: 107 Games drawn: 42 Games lost: 51     Team News: (As of today 20/12/2025,) Aston Villa: Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Ross Barkley, Harvey Elliot and Jadon Sancho are out for this game. Manchester United: Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are out injured. Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are unavailable due to AFCON duty.   Prediction: Villa are the Opta supercomputer’s favourites ahead of this game, winning 57.2% of the model’s 10,000 pre-match simulations. For me, I have seen these players pull something out of nothing. I won’t be surprised if they win this match. I believe a narrow win is possible. Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United        

tunde ajibade December 21, 2025 0
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