Everton v. Manchester United - Match Preview

By David Hobbs
August 11 2005

Manchester United kick off the Premiership season with a tough away trip to Champions League hopefuls Everton, who are looking to rectify mistakes made in Europe.

Everton v. Manchester United
Barclays Premier League
Goodison Park
13th August, 2005
12:45pm KO

Everton hosted Diego Forlan's Villarreal in midweek in the opening leg of their Champions League qualifier and fell down 2-1 to the Spaniards. 

The Toffees will be looking to rectify their mistakes for the opening fixture with the Red Devils. United had an easier night in European competition, beating Hungarian champions Decrecen 3-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson is looking forward to the opener, commenting after the Debrecen victory: "You know what it’s going to be like – straw hats and trumpets. They’ll get stuck into us. We just hope there’s a strong referee and we'll be alright."

Everton defied the odds to enter the Champions League by finishing 4th last season, just 16 points behind United.

The Old Trafford faithful are disappointed with a trophy-less last season and are expecting silverware in the cabinet by next summer.

David Moyes' side had a dodgy finish to their Premiership campaign, conceding 7 goals to Arsenal and losing 3-2 to Bolton on the final day. The Merseysiders hope for a solid start to a new season however.

Team News: 
Ryan Giggs is doubtful with a chest infection while Quinton Fortune, Wes Brown, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also likely to be exempt from action. Expect the same starting XI who faced Debrecen with a 4-3-3 formation, including Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane in midfield.

Everton's £5m summer signing Per Kroldrup will have to wait until his Premiership due to a groin injury that may need surgery. Phil Neville will emotionally start his first Premiership game for his new club against the club was with since a school-boy, Manchester United, and Diego Forlan is backing the midfielder to be a hit. "He is a good player. He will play in midfield at Everton and the games I played with him there, he did really well. He is a tough player," said the Villarreal hotshot.

Pre-season Form:
During United's pre-season tour of Asia, the Red Devils managed 3 wins and 1 loss, conceding just two goals and scoring eight. Emphatic victories against Clyde (5-0) and Peterborough (6-0) warmed United up for the Far East. Royal Antwerp lost 6-1 to United in the final friendly.

Everton clocked up victories against FC Gamlitz, Connah's Quay, Skelmersdale United and Udinese while losing to the Thai national side and Manchester City on penalties.

ManUtdWeb Prediction:
Expect a physical battle between the two sides, but I'm backing United to swoop maximum points - Everton 1 - 2 Manchester United

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]