Everton Vs Manchester United

Keeper Stefan Wessels is standing by to replace Tim Howard, who is struggling with a finger injury.

Midfielder Thomas Gravesen has a knee problem and is a doubt.

Striker Wayne Rooney has recovered from a fractured foot and is back in the Manchester United squad for the trip to former club Everton.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension but Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are out after picking up injuries on international duty.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Evans, Pique, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs, Eagles, Tevez, Saha, Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Martin.

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Stubbs, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Valente, Arteta, McFadden, Neville, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu, Anichebe, Wessels.

Everton manager David Moyes:
"The one thing that makes Manchester United a great club is that they always bounce back.

"To write them off would be a silly thing. Ronaldo has been out for three games, Wayne is obviously close, and they are getting their best players back to full fitness.

"But although United have a good team, I hope people see we have a very good one as well. We have a decent squad and if I can have everyone available we can handle it."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We are a bit higgledy-piggledy in terms of team selection but for the first time, we have enough forward power to improve our chances of scoring.

"Wayne Rooney has trained very well and will travel. He is desperate to play but we will take medical advice from the doctor.

"And Ronaldo being back is a big plus. You miss players who make a difference, who can change the pattern of a game and create opportunities for you."


BIG-MATCH FACTS
The winner of this north-west derby will go top of the table for 45 minutes at least.

Everton need just a point to go top. If they finish level, it will be the Toffees' 1,000th draw in top-flight football.

Everton are unbeaten at home in the Premier League; Manchester United yet to win away from home.

This match pits two Premier League ever-presents.

It features the winning most club in this league (Manchester United with 369 victories) and losing most (Everton, beaten 232 times in the Premier League).

United staged a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down after 50 minutes, to win this corresponding fixture 2-4 last April, which took them one step nearer to the title.


EVERTON

Lost just one of their five Premier League matches so far.

Conceded one goal in each of the last five league games.

Conceded one goal in each of 12 of the last 15 league outings, including the last six.

Failed to score once this season, and once in the last eight Premier League games; 1-0, away to Reading on 18 August.

Managed one clean sheet in 13 Premier League games; the 3-0 win, home to Portsmouth on 5 May.

This match precedes the Uefa Cup first round first leg tie, home to Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine on Thursday.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Won the last two Premier League games, both at home and by 1-0 margins; against Tottenham and Sunderland.

Not won three consecutive league games in 12 outings, since registering seven in a row on 31 March.

On the longest current run in the Premier League of eight matches since scoring more than one goal in a game; the most recent being the 2-4 victory, away to Everton on 28 April.

Netted more than a single goal in only one of the last 10 league fixtures.

On the longest current run in the Premier League of eight matches since conceding more than one goal in a game; the most recent being the 2-4 victory, away to Everton on 28 April.

Let in more than a single goal in only one of the last 11 league fixtures.

On the longest current run in the Premier League of 45 matches since losing by more than a single goal; the 3-0 reverse by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 29 April 2006.

Providing the least value for money in terms of goals on show in the Premier League so far this season of a goal a game; three for, two against.

One of two clubs to have kept three clean sheets in the Premier League. The other is Manchester City.

This match precedes the opening Champions League Group F fixture, away to Sporting in Portugal on Wednesday, and the home Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday, 23 September.

EVERTON
Leon OSMAN and Jolean LESCOTT are Everton's joint top scorers with two Premier League goals each.

If he plays:-
Tim HOWARD will be facing a former club. The 28 year old United States international keeper made 77 appearances (45 in the league) for United between July 2003 and his move to Goodison three years later.

Phil NEVILLE will also be opposing former club mates. The 30 year old England international made 389 appearances (263 in the league) and scored eight goals (five league) between July 1994 and his transfer to Everton in the 2005 close season.

James McFADDEN will be making his 100th career Premier League appearance - all for Everton.

If on the field from the outset:-

McFADDEN will be making his 50th Premier League start.


MANCHESTER UNITED
Wayne ROONEY has scored two Premier League goals for Manchester United against Everton - both at Goodison Park; on 13 August 2005 and 28 April 2007.

Paul SCHOLES, Louis SAHA and NANI are the only players to have scored for Manchester United in this Premier League season.

Ryan GIGGS is a double short of 100 career League goals.

If he plays:-
ROONEY will be facing a former club. The 21 year old England international striker made 77 appearances (67 in the league) and scored 17 goals (15 league) for Everton at the beginning of his professional career from February 2003 to his £20m move to Old Trafford in August 2004.

If on the field from the outset:-
John O'SHEA will be making his 200th start for Manchester United.

HEAD TO HEAD
The Toffees have only beaten Manchester United twice in 15 attempts at Goodison Park. Duncan Ferguson scored the only goal in both victories on 25 February 1995 and 20 April 2005.
United have won 12 of their 15 Premier League visits to Everton, and six of the last seven, including the last two.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Everton 52 wins, Man United 67, Draws 37
Prem: Everton 3 wins, Man United 23, Draws 4

at Everton only
League (inc PL): Everton 37 wins, Man United 24, Draws 17
Prem: Everton 2 wins, Man United 12, Draws 1

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Everton 2-4 Manchester United
28 April 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley
Everton scorers: Stubbs 12, Fernandes 50
Man United scorers: O'Shea 61, Neville 68 og, Rooney 79, Eagles 90


REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)


After reading these information, what is your score prediction of this match?

Source - BBC Sport