Manchester United head to Goodison Park today in dire need of a result after losing eight of their previous 12 Premier League games.
That has left United below Everton in the Premier League table and the Toffees are on a fine run of form under former United boss David Moyes, who once again faces his former club, having been the first manager to fail in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Ruben Amorim's side are 15th in the Premier League and with a comfortable gap to the bottom three, the remainder of the league season is about little more than saving face after a disastrous campaign.
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New playmaker
One of the bright spots in last weekend's defeat to Tottenham was the performance of Joshua Zirkzee, who had what was probably his best and most effective game for the club.
Zirkzee has rarely looked like a No.9 since joining from Bologna and he seemed more comfortable at Spurs having Rasmus Hojlund to dovetail with and lead the line. With Hojlund trying to occupy the centre-backs, Zirkzee could find space as a No.10 and his neat footwork and close control were impressive.
He might not get quite as much space against Everton's physical outfit, but the Dutch attacker will surely start again and he needs to step up again if United are to get on the scoresheet.
Hojlund test
It's clear now that Hojlund has no interest in being fed long aerial balls to compete for and he will quickly become frustrated if that is what his teammates resort to against the Toffees.
Everton are a big side and they kicked Liverpool out of their stride with a physical approach last week. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite will want to send an early message to Hojlund and opposing teams will notice that he can lose confidence if he is on the end of a couple of early defeats in duels.
The Dane has now gone 15 goals without a game for United, but with Amad out for the rest of the season he really needs to stick his chest out and become the main man. He is the £64million striker wearing No.9 for United and when they need a goal, it is Hojlund who should be delivering.
Ugarte returns
The midfield was the focus of criticism last week and there were certainly gaps to be found between Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. The Brazilian hadn't played in the Premier League in 2025 but then had to go to pretty much the end, which was never going to be conducive to covering ground.
Amorim is keen to move away from Casemiro but he had no option but to field the 32-year-old in that position, and with Fernandes covering ground to the right, it did leave some wide open spaces.
United will welcome Manuel Ugarte back into the fold at Goodison Park and the centre of the pitch has quickly become reliant on the Uruguayan's energy and tenacity.
Moyes memories
It was a defeat against Everton at Goodison Park that signalled the end of the Moyes era at United and there is a certain irony that that was the last time a United team headed to the blue half of Merseyside behind the Toffees in the Premier League - until now.
That turnaround is down to Moyes, who has quickly got Everton firing on his return to the club. The Scot has guided them to four wins in his six Premier League games in charge, as well as that barnstorming 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
That run of form - and United's dismal run - has propelled Everton a point clear of Amorim's side. It sums up the dreadful decade at Old Trafford.
Goodison farewell
This will be a farewell to Goodison for United and while the away end offers its fair share of dreadful sight lines and minimal comfort, it is a stadium that will be missed by many.
United's Easter Sunday horror show in 2019 was the beginning of a time when this team would contrive to lose games heavily far more regularly than they had done before, but since then they have had a good run as well. The 3-0 win last season was memorable for Alejandro Garnacho's astonishing overhead kick.
In all competitions United have won four of their last five trips here and they will want to go out with a bang.
