Fan Preview: Manchester United vs Everton

With his touchline ban not starting yet, Sir Alex Ferguson will still be on the bench to see whether Manchester United can return to winning ways against Everton, managed by fellow Scot David Moyes.

Fergie should have a near full-strength squad to choose from, with only John O’Shea coming back injured from international duty.

Dimitar Berbatov will be on a high after becoming Bulgaria’s all-time leading goal scorer on Wednesday (incidentally, with a tally that would put him joint second on an all-time England list), and should partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

However, with some media reports suggesting Berbatov will soon need an operation to get rid of fluid on his knee. If that is the case, Fergie may decide the time is right to give Michael Owen an extended run in the first team.

It would seem young Jonny Evans, improving every game he plays, will partner Vidic in central defence, with Patrice Evra and potentially Wes Brown at full backs.

The choice of midfield is anybody’s guess, but either way United will be confident of continuing their stunning Premiership record against Everton, where they have only ever lost once at Old Trafford.

It has often been the case that United go on a long unbeaten run after a defeat, and with Chelsea also having a simple enough game this weekend against Wolves, this time it is a necessity. For Fergie’s men, this is also the first game of a long period where they shouldn’t be too tested until they meet Arsenal in January.

Although Everton have come on leaps and bounds in recent times, this season hasn’t been good for their wafer-thin squad at all. Young central midfielder Jack Rodwell will be keen to impress, with reports suggesting both United and Chelsea are willing to splash £20 million on him in January.

Rodwell inspired or not, the Evertonians should be no match for United, and I am predicting a 2-0 win for the home side.

By Matt Lihou