Michael Carrick should look to make three changes when Manchester United line up to face Everton in the Premier League at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Michael Carrick’s team have been given close to two weeks to regroup following his first five games in interim charge, after stepping in for Rúben Amorim last month.
Manchester United have taken 13 points from a possible 15 during that run, securing eye-catching wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur before being forced to settle for a 1–1 draw against West Ham United on Tuesday evening.
While the result in East London slightly curbed the growing optimism, United are still unbeaten in five, sitting comfortably inside the top four and well placed in the push for UEFA Champions League qualification.
After the break, Carrick’s side travel to Merseyside to take on Everton, who have won two of their past five league outings and currently occupy eighth spot in the Premier League.
Two changes Carrick must make vs Everton
With the game still around six days away, there is plenty that could happen in training at Carrington before the game kicks off. One change that’s unlikely to be made is in goal, with Senne Lammens keeping his spot, as he has all season.
However, there have been calls for Noussair Mazraoui to start at right-back over Diogo Dalot. The latter played well against Arsenal and Fulham, but a poor display against West Ham has seen some want a change. Mazraoui is a natural right-back, and the Everton tie could be the perfect time for a trial.
Mazraoui would likely be joined by the usual suspects, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw, in defence. Although Maguire came off against West Ham with a suspected injury, he has since been spotted back in training and will likely be fit to play.
In midfield, no changes are expected. Casemiro has been stunning since his return to his natural position under Carrick, and playing alongside Kobbie Mainoo, the duo have quickly re-formed a brilliant bond.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes will remain the driving force in the No. 10 role, having tallied one goal and four assists in the five games under Carrick since his return to the attacking midfield role.
As for the front three, there is little argument to be had that ‘unreal‘ Benjamin Šeško deserves his first start. The 22-year-old’s last two goals have been a late winner against Fulham and an even later equaliser against West Ham, and he could be the perfect strong forward to break Everton down.
The main question is who drops out of the starting team. Matheus Cunha will likely start on the left and be given his usual license to roam inside and play off Šeško and Fernandes, which would leave one of Amad or Bryan Mbeumo having to step out of the starting XI.
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For the purposes of using him as an impact substitute, Amad may be the better choice. Mbeumo has a great delivery on him, while Amad is more of a driving force with the ball at his feet.
If the former starts, his role could be to find Šeško with crosses, while Amad could come on fresh in the second half if the game starts to open up, while the Ivorian’s defensive workrate could be pivotal if United are holding onto a narrow lead against David Moyes’ men.
United predicted XI vs Everton
Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.
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