EARLY TEAM NEWS FOR MANCHESTER UNITED ENCOUNTER

Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford for Saturday’s 12:30 GMT kick-off in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag’s men are looking to complete the double over the Toffees,

following the excellent 3-0 triumph at Goodison Park in November.

It is the first of a double-header against Merseyside opposition, with Liverpool at the

Theatre of Dreams in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday 17 March.

After back-to-back losses in the top flight, against Fulham and Manchester City,

the Reds need to get back to winning ways to help boost our hopes of qualifying for next term’s UEFA Champions League alive.

The manager and his medical team will be assessing the fitness of some of his players

who were carrying knocks in the Manchester derby. Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford

were withdrawn during the second half, while captain Bruno Fernandes had been a doubt

beforehand after being praised for his resilience in getting through the Emirates

FA Cup fifth-round triumph at Nottingham Forest.

Ten Hag is expected to give an update in Friday’s press conference,

including providing the latest on the likes of Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund,

who have been absent of late. The media briefing will be covered on our club channels from 13:30 GMT.

Anthony Martial, who has an excellent record against Everton, is among those sidelined,

along with Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount.

Sean Dyche’s men have not been in good form of late, their last Premier L

eague win was in December against Burnley, but they were boosted by having a 10-point deduction reduced to six recently.

The Toffees have drawn four of their last six outings and could be

able to welcome Idrissa Gana Gueye back into the fold. Fellow midfielder

Amadou Onana played in the 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, after overcoming a groin problem.

“Gana will be unlikely,” said Dyche at his press conference. “But he’s got a chance, I would say.”

Dele Alli and Arnaut Danjuma are still missing for the

Merseysiders, who have former Reds James Garner, Ashley Young and

Michael Keane in their ranks. Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison were also part of the United Academy.

Dyche added that despite a few “knocks and bruises”, everyone should be fine by the weekend.

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