EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Manchester United will be without five players in Saturday’s clash with Frank Lampard’s men.
Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Edison Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay are injured and will not be available on Saturday.
The injury-prone Varane is unavailable again, is expected to be out for a couple of weeks to have metal bolts removed and McTominay has a foot problem.
The bolts were inserted when Shaw was operated on in 2015 after he sustained a double leg-break against PSV Eindhoven but he was troubled by the injury during the 1-1 draw with Leicester last week. Shaw is set to miss the upcoming games against Norwich, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as this weekend’s trip to Goodison Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back after missing the Leicester game because of illness but Edinson Cavani is still out.
“Cristiano is back again,” interim manager Ralf Rangnick said. “Luke is still injured, we had to take him off at half-time (against Leicester), he’s had his problems with his leg where he had the operation in 2015.
“The doctor told me they decided to remove two metal bolts in his leg and this will happen tomorrow and he will be out for the next two or three weeks.
“Cavani is still injured, Raphael Varane is still injured and will be missing out again tomorrow and the same is true for Scott McTominay, he’s having problems with the sole of his foot.”
Everton are 17th and lost at 18th-placed Burnley on Wednesday night while United could temporarily go level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham if they win their first away game since February 20.
That victory was at Leeds and Rangnick is expecting a similar atmosphere, given Everton’s need for points to avoid relegation.
“For tomorrow, definitely the most important part (is) character, energy, commitment to winning that game in that atmosphere, which will be probably pretty similar to the one at Leeds,” Rangnick explained. “We’re all aware of the importance of that game.
“For them, it’s highly important and for us as well. Game plan and tactics is one thing tomorrow but the other thing, the most important thing is the mentality, attitude, physicality and that will probably decide.
FURTHER READING
“If you see the process over the last four-and-a-half months, we have developed the team in some areas, but it’s all about being consistent and we have to start tomorrow with the best possible performance.”
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