Everton v Man United LIVE: Rashford starts again for unchanged visitors in Premier League clash | OneFootball

Everton host Manchester United in the Premier League as David Moyes faces his former side following a dramatic deadline day that left him short of a striker.

The Toffees saw a late move for striker Folarin Balogun collapse after the transfer window had closed and Everton had already sold star forward Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City and striker Beto to Fiorentina. It leaves Everton with Thierno Barry as their only striker, although Jack Grealish has returned for another loan spell at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton fans were left in dismay after what had been a promising start to the season, with a home win over Crystal Palace followed by a late draw at Bournemouth, with Manchester United now arriving after Bruno Fernandes inspired Michael Carrick’s side to victory over Ipswich at Old Trafford thanks to the captain’s hat-trick.

Man Utd's realistic expectations

Manchester United went through a mixed transfer window that ended with positive midfield reinforcements but a lack of arrivals in other key areas, with left-back the most obvious.

And while the club’s third-placed finish and great run of form at the end of last season has raised expectations in some quarters, this still feels like a team that has plenty of room to develop.

The loss against Hull might be seen as a blip by some in the United hierarchy but it did show some worrying signs (albeit with a much-changed and experimental starting XI), and while the 5-2 win over Ipswich got them back on track, the same worries were again evident at Old Trafford last week.

Carrick’s side still concede far too many good chances, and while this is not the fault of the defenders themselves, it is a problem that would in part be solved by having better personnel in defence.

At the other end of the pitch, the Red Devils can sometimes struggle in breaking down teams who sit back, with Everton potentially providing a test in that regard this afternoon.

Ultimately, these factors are what will limit the side this season, and a top-four finish and a cup run feels like the realistic expectation this year.

Michael Carrick claims to be "largely" happy with Manchester United's summer transfer business despite being outspent by rivals and seemingly left short in some areas (PA)

Michael Carrick knows his side are in for a tough test

Michael Carrick says Everton has always been a tough trip “whatever state they’re in” and expects no different as Manchester United head to a side reeling from deadline-day disappointment.

“To be honest, however long I’ve been going to Everton – and I know it was Goodison (Park) before – every single game has been as tough as they come,” the Red Devils head coach said.

“We’ve had some good results, we’ve had some not-so-good results and last year epitomises kind of how hard it was and how much we had to give to get the result.

“Whatever position they’re in, wherever they are in the league, historically whenever I’ve gone there it’s been tough, whatever state they’re in.

“David’s a terrific manager. They’ve got a good squad, they’ve got some talent in that group and some very, very good attacking players as well, so we’re expecting as tough a game as it gets and we’ll prepare for that.”

David Moyes urges small squad to 'muck in' after transfer failure

David Moyes is looking for his Everton players to “muck in” and cover for the shortages in his squad after a frustrating end to the transfer window.

Moyes has only 18 outfield players in his squad after a deadline day move for Folarin Balogun collapsed to cap a summer window in which Everton saw some key figures leave with not enough done to replace them.

There are shortages in attack and at full-back which could see players asked to play in unfamiliar roles, but Moyes wants players to see it as an opportunity.

“They’re all going to have to be able to muck in,” Moyes said. “We’ve got a really small squad now. Sometimes it gives people opportunities who maybe haven’t had them.

“When you get those opportunities in football, sometimes you need to be given the chance to show what you can do.

“So let’s see if some of them can do that. But let’s be fair, they showed last year, getting so close, being where they were as a team, so I’ve got no concerns about that really. I’m sure they’ll be fully at it.”

Everton manager David Moyes has urged his squad to muck in (PA Wire)

Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2026 13:00