Friday, December 2, 2016

Manchester United team news: Predicted XI to face Everton - Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first Premier League start since September?

1. David De Gea (goalkeeper) - click the right arrow, above, to see Manchester United’s predicted XI in squad number order... 4. Phil Jones (centre-back) 5. Marcos Rojo (centre-back) 6. Paul Pogba (midfield) 8. Juan Mata (attacking midfield) 9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (forward) 11. Anthony Martial (attacking midfield) 17. Daley Blind (left-back) 21. Ander Herrera (midfield) 22. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (attacking midfield) 25. Antonio Valencia (right-back)

Manchester United will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches when they make the short journey to Everton.

Just over 32 miles separates Old Trafford and Goodison Park and the teams are also close in the table, with sixth-placed United just a point ahead of the Toffees in seventh.

Jose Mourinho's side will go into the clash on the back of a 4-1 victory over West Ham in the EFL Cup quarter final, with Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both netting braces.

In the league however, despite going throughout November without losing in the league, the Red Devils only won on one occasion, v Swansea City.

Ronald Koeman's Everton, however, are still yet to bounce back from the 5-0 thrashing at Chelsea. They drew with Swansea before losing at Southampton last week.

So, with both sides desperate to return to winning ways, how will United line up on Merseyside?

Team news

Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini will return to contention after serving suspensions in midweek, while Mourinho will also return to the sidelines after his one-match ban.

The Red Devils will be without former Everton forward Wayne Rooney, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign on Wednesday, while Chris Smalling is expected to remain out with a toe injury.

Eric Bailly [knee] returned to training this week, but the Ivorian defender is not expected to return in the coming fixtures.

Click the right arrow, above, to see United's predicted XI, in Mourinho's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation...