Manchester United and Everton will round off their preparations for the 2021-22 Premier League season with a mouthwatering friendly at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils will begin their domestic campaign at home to Leeds United on August 14, while Everton will welcome Southampton to Goodison Park on the same afternoon.
Match preview
Man United's pre-season clash with Preston North End, which was scheduled for last Saturday, had to be postponed following suspected coronavirus cases in the Red Devils camp, although it ultimately proved to be a false alarm, with the squad quickly cleared to return to training.
As a result, the 20-time English champions have only taken part in three friendlies this summer, opening their preparations for the new campaign with a 2-1 victory over Derby County on July 18 before suffering a 4-2 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on July 24.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side then played out a 2-2 draw with Brentford on July 28 and will now round off their pre-season with a clash against Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils will open their 2021-22 Premier League season at home to Leeds on August 14 before finishing the month with clashes against Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it is vital that the team make a strong start if they are to seriously challenge for the league title.
Jadon Sancho is due in training for the first time on Friday, but Raphael Varane has not yet completed a move to the 20-time English champions, meaning that he will not be involved against Everton; the Frenchman, though, could potentially make his debut against Leeds at Old Trafford.
Everton, meanwhile, took part in the Florida Cup towards the end of July and managed to play two matches despite the competition being altered due to Arsenal and Inter Milan both withdrawing.
The Toffees beat Millonarios on penalties following a 1-1 draw on July 25 before recording a 1-0 victory over Pumas UNAM on July 28, with Moise Kean finding the back of the net.
The fact that the Merseyside giants have only played twice this summer is far from ideal, but this weekend's contest with Man United will prove to be an extremely valuable exercise for new head coach Rafael Benitez, who will lead his side into their league opener against Southampton on August 14.
Everton have made three new signings during this summer's transfer window, bringing in Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic, while Kean, Cenk Tosun and Jonjoe Kenny at back at Goodison Park following loan spells, and it will be interesting to see what happens with the trio in the coming weeks.
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Team News
Man United's squad has been boosted by the return of a number of internationals, and there is a chance that Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea could all be involved this weekend.
Sancho, as mentioned, is not due to link up with his new teammates until Friday, meaning that it is unlikely that the summer arrival will be included in the squad to face the Toffees.
Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could start in the full-back spots amid suggestions that Brandon Williams is closing in on an exit, with Alex Telles ruled out until September through injury.
Edinson Cavani will not be involved, having not yet returned to pre-season training, but Axel Tuanzebe could start despite the speculation surrounding his future.
Victor Lindelof may also feature in the middle of the defence, but it is unclear whether Solskjaer is planning to use club captain Harry Maguire despite his return to training following Euro 2020.
As for Everton, Jordan Pickford could feature following his involvement for England at Euro 2020, although there might be another start between the sticks for summer arrival Begovic.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are doubts due to their international commitments over the summer, meaning that Kean could start at centre-forward with Gray and Townsend in support.
Head coach Benitez is likely to make changes from the side that started against Pumas in Orlando, with Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in line for spots in the middle of the park. That said, the back four could remain in place, with Seamus Coleman being joined by Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Lucas Digne.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Dalot; Matic, Pogba, Van de Beek; Lingard, Greenwood, James
Everton possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne; Doucoure, Allan, Gomes; Townsend, Kean, Gray
We say: Manchester United 2-1 Everton
There is simply no downplaying the importance of this match, as both managers prepare for the new campaign. Man United have been involved in more games than Everton this summer but little can be read into pre-season form. We are expecting a tight match but have ultimately settled on a narrow home win.
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