Chris Sutton has explained why Michael Carrick will have hope as Manchester United travel to face Everton in the Premier League on Monday evening.
Manchester United are back in action on Monday night after a 13-day hiatus, with Michael Carrick leading his side into a Premier League meeting with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It will be the senior men’s team’s first visit to Everton’s new ground, though United’s Women recorded an emphatic 4–1 win over the Toffees there in the WSL in October 2025.
United head into the contest looking to respond to their 1–1 draw away at West Ham United a fortnight ago. Sitting fourth in the table, they remain firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification.
The race is tightening, however. Chelsea are just a point behind in fifth, while Liverpool are three points adrift of the Reds, leaving little margin for error against David Moyes’ side.
Sutton’s bizarre prediction amid Carrick hope
Last time out, United fell to a 1-0 defeat against Everton at Old Trafford despite having a one-man advantage for most of the game, which has led Chris Sutton to suggest a strange prediction for Monday’s tie.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton explained that Carrick’s men have hope against Everton, as the Toffees have been stronger away from home, though their failure to break them down under Rúben Amorim hints at a possible problem.
“Manchester United lost at home to Everton in November despite the Toffees going down to 10 men in the 13th minute, when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking his team-mate Michael Keane,” Sutton said.
“Rúben Amorim’s United just could not find a way of breaking Everton down that night, but there is a very different feel about them now Michael Carrick is in charge.
“They needed a stoppage-time equaliser to get a point at West Ham last time out, but they seem much more confident and have been playing well.
“This will be a tough game for them, but as I’ve mentioned previously, Everton have picked up more points on the road this season than they have at home. That’s another reason why I fancy United to get something here, and stop David Moyes doing the double over his former club.”
Following his praise for United and spelling out that Moyes’ side are not as strong at home, the former Chelsea striker then bizarrely chose to predict a 1-1 draw between the two sides, with BBC’s AI stating a 3-1 win for Carrick is the most likely outcome.
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Carrick hoping for Mount return vs Everton
Carrick has made just one change to his starting XI across his five fixtures since he re-joined the club, with Matheus Cunha replacing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu due to a hamstring injury.
However, he has utilised the bench brilliantly. In almost every tie, the likes of Benjamin Šeško, Cunha, and Leny Yoro have had a major impact in the second halves of games to get United over the line.
Against Everton, Carrick is hoping that he will have Mason Mount back as an attacking option off the bench after the English midfielder has missed the last three games due to a knock in training.
While Mount is not expected to play a starting role too often for the rest of this season, there is certainly scope for him to have an impact. His intricate, delicate style of football could be essential for breaking down low blocks and could come in handy against Everton.
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