Everton vs Manchester United preview: Wayne Rooney expected to be fit and face former club at Goodison Park

Wayne Rooney and James McCarthy fight for the ball at Goodison Park last season (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Wayne Rooney: The Manchester United captain, who looks set to be fit for the trip to Goodison, has a poor record of just two goals in ten visits since returning to his former stomping ground. He’s also started this season in disappointing fashion, so has plenty to prove on Saturday.

Best stat...

11

In the last 18 matches between these two sides in the Premier League, 11 goals have been scored in the final 10 minutes. Don’t leave this one early.

Remember when…

Late goals from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar rescued Everton a point as they came from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 at Old Trafford in April 2012. Three weeks later, a last-minute goal you might remember, scored by Sergio Aguero, cost United the title.

Player to watch…

Romelu Lukaku: Belgian striker Lukaku has started the campaign in deadly form, with seven goals in all competitions already. After only eight matches, the 22-year-old has scored half the number of goals he notched for the whole season in the Premier League last term.

Past three-meetings…

Everton 3 (McCarthy, Stones, Mirallas) Manchester United 0
Premier League, April 2015

Manchester United 2 (Di Maria, Falcao) Everton 1 (Naismith)
Premier League, October 2014

Everton 2 (Baines, Mirallas) Manchester United 0
Premier League, April 2014

Form guide…

Everton: DWDWWD

Manchester United: LWWWWL

Vital information…

Kick-off: 3:00pm, Saturday 17 October

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day from 10:30pm