Manchester United: What to expect at Goodison Park

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Steven Pienaar of Everton competes with Antonio Valencia of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on April 22, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Playing Everton away from home is not an ideal opening game to a new season for Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. It is a difficult fixture. Last season Javier Hernandez find the net in United’s hard-fought 1-0 win at Goodison Park. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford arguably costed United their title. So, given United’s aggravated defensive crisis, Everton is a difficult task at hand. So lets have a look at what we can expect from the United manager at Goodison Park.

De Gea is likely to feature in goal, despite a strong preseason from Anders Lindegaard. Defensive crisis at United would mean that Michael Carrick is likely to partner Nemanja Vidic, at the heart of defense. Expect Evra to start and possibly Valencia at right back. Will Keane would make the bench with possibly a few others from reserves. Vidic might not stay on the pitch for a full 90 minutes.

Ferguson would possibly stick to a traditional 4-4-2 and turning to 4-3-3 on the counter. Expect Scholes to start with Anderson or Cleverly in central midfield. Nani on right and Young on left. Do not expect Shinji Kagawa to start, but might come on later for Scholes or a winger.

Robin van Persie is most likely to start, because of the intimidation factor that a Rooney-van Persie partnership leading the attack brings in. The game promises goals from both sides.

With Fellaini fit to start, expect a lively encounter at the midfield. Jelavic would be a handful for United’s fragile defense. Late substitution of Welbeck might be likely depending on the scoreline.