Everton travel to take on Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon.
A general view outside Old Trafford
Pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Manchester United will beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford this afternoon.
United head into the game having demolished Basel 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek, but they did drop points in the Premier League for the first time this season last weekend.
The 2-2 draw at Stoke City ended United’s 100% start to the season, and Jose Mourinho will be hoping to bounce back with a win against Everton today, as Romelu Lukaku faces his former club for the first time since leaving Goodison Park over the summer.
Lukaku has already hit four goals in four Premier League outings this season, and he will be looking to compound the misery for Everton when he lines up against the Toffees this afternoon.
Everton come into the game having endured a miserable run of form, losing 2-0 at Chelsea before the international break before being hammered 3-0 at Goodison Park by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
The Toffees were even beaten 3-0 at Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday evening, meaning Ronald Koeman heads into today’s game under increasing pressure to turn things around after a summer of spending.
One of his new signings, Wayne Rooney, makes his first return to Old Trafford since re-signing for Everton, and he will – just like Lukaku – be looking to score against his former club.
Ahead of today’s game, pundit Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he thinks Manchester United will just have too much for Everton even without Paul Pogba, backing them to claim a 2-0 win – and noted that whilst Everton’s defending has been poor over the last week, their lack of goal threat is actually their biggest problem right now.
“I am sure Everton forward Wayne Rooney will get a warm reception on his return to Old Trafford, but I don’t see him having much to smile about in terms of the result,” said Lawrenson. “Even without the injured Paul Pogba, I think Manchester United will be too strong for Everton – United have such a strong squad to call upon.”
“Everton were poor at the back against Tottenham but the bigger issue for me is their lack of goal threat. United will find a way through, while I don’t think Everton will,” he added.
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