Premier League: Erik ten Hag Under Pressure as the Red Devils’ Hopes are Slipping Away

Manchester United vs Everton

After going undefeated to start 2024, Manchester United have fallen back to earth with two defeats in their last three games. And with only 11 matchdays left in the 2023-24 campaign, time is running out for them to make a top four push here in the Premier League.

Fresh from a 3-1 loss against Derby rivals Manchester City, Erik ten Hag’s boys are set to host Everton on Saturday, and a win here would cut the 11-point gap against fourth-seeded Aston Villa.

Recent form suggests that Manchester United should win since Everton haven’t won a league game since December 10. The Toffees have to improve their Premier League 2024 results if they are to ultimately escape the relegation zone at the end of the season.

Talking Points

Fitness issues never seem to end for Manchester United

Against Manchester City, Manchester United were so depleted at the back to the point that Sofyan Amrabat, a midfielder, had to play left-back once more, and it worked right into the Sky Blues’ hands since he was the one who gifted Erling Haaland’s late goal.

Marcus Rashford, who scored the wonder goal against the Sky Blues, meanwhile, is currently listed as a doubt alongside Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire.

Erik ten Hag is sweating on the fitness of Rashford, Evans, and Maguire, and if they’re not fit on Saturday, they will join the likes of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the sidelines.

Amad Diallo and Antony should soak up minutes just in case this happens.

With injury woes still piling up for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has been forced to give his youngsters more minutes than they should have. But not everyone has had a success story so far, like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Willy Kambwala and Omari Forson are two examples of being thrown into the mix even if they’re still raw, while Toby Collyer and Habeeb Ogunneye were named to the bench last week as well.

Everton moved up, but are they safe?

While the Toffees breathed a sigh of relief after seeing their points deduction reduced from 10 to six, their job is far from finished this season since they’re still 16^th in the table, and it doesn’t help that they haven’t won a league game in a while.

After back-to-back 1-1 draws against Crystal Palace and Brighton, Everton were demoralised by West Ham United since their 1-0 lead turned into a 3-1 scoreline, as Kurt Zouma, Tomas Soucek, and Edson Alvarez all scored late in the second half.

The lack of goals has been a huge concern for the Toffees, and Sean Dyche is rummaging through his bench to find consistent production.

After going scoreless for 20 consecutive games, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was dropped in favour of Beto, but the Portuguese striker has yet to find his groove up front for Everton.

History

Manchester United defeated Everton in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park, as Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial all found the back of the net for the 3-0 win.

Garnacho’s bicycle-kick goal in the third minute, a la Wayne Rooney, is definitely a candidate for the Premier League Goal of the Season.

The Red Devils have now won all three of their Premier League games against the Toffees since the start of last season. If they win again this weekend, they will have won four in a row for the first time since December 2007.

Everton have won just one of their last 30 Premier League matches at Old Trafford (D8, L21) and are winless in their last 10 Premier League matches (D5, L5), which is the longest skid of any English top-flight side currently.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2024 odds are in favour of Manchester United, despite the fact that they will come into this game undermanned. The Red Devils are priced to win at 1.86, while Everton are at 3.63 odds, and a draw is at 3.48 in the 1X2 market.

In terms of the possible goal count of this match, there should be enough goals to go by, so Total Goal 2-3 at 1.91 appears to be the safest alternative bet, while Over 3.00 is worth considering too.

If you predict another blowout win for the Red Devils, then check out a Correct Score of 3-0 in favour of Erik ten Hag’s side – the same exact result of their previous meeting – since it is being offered at 17.50.

 

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