IN-FORM Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) is off to Old Trafford on Tuesday night in search of a winner in the midweek Premier League card.
Manchester United v Everton | Tuesday 20:00 | BT Sport 1
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United were left scratching their heads as West Brom picked up a point from Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
United battered the Baggies, but their inability to put the ball in the net cost the men from Manchester two points – and it would have been worse had David de Gea not got away with a comical error that saw the woodwork spare the blushes of the Spanish stopper.
Man Utd switching focus?
With hopes of a top-four finish fading fast, United could be forgiven for putting all of their efforts into the Europa League as they battle to win a place in next season’s Champions League.
It is, though, unlikely that Mourinho has given up entirely on a top four finish – after all, United are unbeaten in 19 Premier League matches, while Tuesday’s hosts have now gone 24 matches without defeat at Old Trafford.
Derby despair
Everton have had their fill of derby-day despair, but there was more misery for the blue half of Merseyside at the weekend as Liverpool claimed a convincing 3-1 win against the Toffees at Anfield.
A win at Old Trafford would help to put a smile back on the face of the Everton faithful, but Mourinho’s team have been the dominant force in this fixture down the years, for United have been beaten in just one of the last 24 meetings between the sides on their own patch.
A point to prove
Romelu Lukaku has been outstanding so far this season and, with 21 Premier League goals to his name so far this season, the big Belgian is we on his way to ending the campaign as the first Everton striker to top the scoring charts in the Premier League era.
Lukaku, though, had his critics on Saturday after an ineffective performance at Anfield and the former Chelsea striker may feel that he has a point to prove when he arrives in Manchester.
United, too, will have their striking options reinforced for this fixture; Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back after a three-match ban and the superb Swede will make a real difference to the attacking threat that Mourinho’s men will pose.
Goals on the agenda
The 35-year-old former PSG man has notched 15 league goals this season – as well as the winning goal against Southampton in the League Cup final.
With two in-form front men going toe-to-toe, it’s not hard to imagine goals at both ends and the 19/20 (BetStars) quote for both teams to find the net could offer value for punters.
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Manchester United v Everton – Both Teams To score (19/20 BetStars)
