Manchester United make the short trip to face Everton in the WSL on Sunday afternoon.
Matchday two of the league season is fast approaching and Marc Skinner’s side will hope to build on their opening day victory over West Ham at Old Trafford. The Toffees, on the other hand, will need to bounce back after their heavy defeat to Brighton last time out.
United finished last season fifth in the league standings, despite challenging for the title only the year prior. The Red Devils will be working to have a more consistent campaign this term in order to restore their place in the top four.
Everton ended last season eighth in the WSL, and manager Brian Sorensen will hope to improve on that this season. However, injuries are already mounting for the team and the squad will need to be managed carefully in the coming weeks and months.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Sunday’s clash.
|
Everton |
Man Utd |
|---|---|
|
Brighton 4-0 Everton – 21/09/24 |
Man Utd 3-0 West Ham – 21/09/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/livestream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Official WSL YouTube channel |
|
United States |
N/A |
|
Canada |
N/A |
Injuries are already mounting for the hosts as midfielder Aurora Galli suffered an ACL injury in the team’s last outing against Brighton. The Italy international was forced off late in the game and subsequent tests confirmed the extent of the injury.
Summer signing Melissa Lawley is still two or three weeks away from making a return after she fractured her elbow during a preseason friendly. Karen Holmgaard is back on the pitch after undergoing surgery on her hip, but it’s unlikely she’ll be available for this fixture.
Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey is another long-term absentee. Sorensen confirmed this week she is still working her way back, so won’t be available for this weekend’s fixture.
Everton predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-5-1): Brosnan; Vanhaevermaet, Finnigan, Stenevik, Holmgaard; Sarri, Hayashi, Wheeler, Gabarro, Payne; Snoeijs
United will be without defender Hannah Blundell for the rest of the season following the announcement she is expecting her first child. Evie Rabjohn is also still recovering from the ACL injury she sustained earlier in the summer.
Gabby George suffered the same knee injury at the beginning of last season, but returned to the pitch last week as she came on in the 83rd minute against West Ham. It is hoped she will be available for more minutes, and potentially a start, against her former club Everton.
United are also awaiting the return of youngster Emma Watson, who suffered an ACL injury last year. She was involved in most of the team’s pre-season preparations, but wasn’t in the matchday squad against West Ham last week.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Everton (4-3-3): Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Clinton, Janssen, Naalsund; Geyse, Terland, Toone
After last week’s opener against Brighton, this will likely be another tough weekend for Sorensen’s side. United started their season in emphatic fashion and will back themselves to replicate the performance.
It’s hard to see the Toffees getting any form of a positive result against Sunday’s opponent, even if it is a home fixture. United looked like they had more gears to move through against the Hammers, even after they were three goals to the good, which doesn’t bode well for Everton.
Unless there is a major upset, United should win this game pretty comfortably.
Prediction: Everton 0-3 Man Utd
