Everton vs. Manchester United – Devils progress Round of 8

24/12/2020 | Categories: Football | Published by: Andy Nelson

Updated: 20/03/2023

2020-21 EFL Carabao Cup quarter-final preview: Everton vs. Manchester United – Goodison Park – Wednesday, 23rd December 2020 – 20.00hrs BST

Everton vs. Manchester United Preview

Two in-form Premier league outfits battle it out at Goodison park on Wednesday night for a place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup of 2020-21.

While Carlo Ancelotti's Everton come into the match on the back of three successive wins, Manchester United have won six of their last seven Premier League outings to catapult themselves to the third spot on the EPL table.

Solksjaer's men are on a high after a 6-2 mauling of traditional rivals Leeds United while Everton's morale got a big boost after wins over top-raters Chelsea and Leicester City of 1-0 and 0-2 respectively.

Everton EFL Cup form: WWW

Everton form guide across all competitions: L/W/L/D/W/W/W

Manchester United EFL Cup form: WWW

Manchester United form guide across all competitions: W/L/W/L/D/W/W

As for United's team news, Scott McTominay who made Premier League history against Leeds by becoming the first player to score twice in the opening three minutes of a game ,looks doubtful for the Carabao Cup clash as he had to limp out late with a groin problem.

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The extent of McTominay's injury is not certain but he won't recover in time for Wednesday's night game while Luke Shaw is also a doubt following his unavailability against Leeds.

Players like Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba will all be pushing for starts while goalkeeper Dean Henderson is expected to come back in despite his howler in the win against Sheffield United last week. Marcus Rashford with five goals in his last six away league games will be the attacking spearhead for the Red Devils.

On the other hand, Ancelotti has been a bit handicapped by injuries to Allan, Lucas Digne, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin. Central midfielder Andre Gomes looks doubtful after missing the December 19 game against Arsenal with a hamstring injury. Colombian star James Rodriguez could come in at some point of the game after missing out in the win against the Gunners.

Everton probable XI in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Robin Olsen (goal); Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, Seamus Coleman; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies; Alex Iwobi, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Manchester United probable XI in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Dean Henderson (goal); Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Fred, Paul Pogba; Juan Mata, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Anthony Martial

While playmaker Bruno Fernandes, Rashford and Martial will be the driving force for Ole Solksjaer, the Toffees will bank on the frontal duo of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to get them goals.

Despite Ancelotti being a seasoned expert when it comes to high-profile games such as these, United's attack may be a bit too handle given their spectacular form on the road this season. The visitors to Goodison park certainly are the favourites to progress into the next round on Wednesday.