Everton v Manchester United

United forward Rooney is likely to play some part against his former club Everton

TEAM NEWS

Everton captain Phil Neville is a doubt to face his former club after coming off with a knock against Chelsea in their Carling Cup loss this week.

Tim Cahill is also carrying an injury, while in-form on-loan midfielder Royston Drenthe is suspended.

United made 11 changes for their midweek cup win over Aldershot, but few of that side are likely to remain.

Jonny Evans is suspended but Wayne Rooney, Nani, Ashley Young and Patrice Evra are all set to return.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Everton have won only one of the past 12 matches between the two sides.
• Of their 19 Premier League meetings at Goodison Park since it was formed in 1992, the hosts have only defeated Manchester United three times.
• United have won 13 of those games, scoring 38 times – an average of two goals a game.

Everton

• Everton – who are 13th – have the eighth-best home record in the Premier League. But their overall record against the top half of the table is the worst of any team.
• Six of their 10 Premier League goals this season have come in the final 10 minutes of their eight matches.
• Everton have not kept a clean sheet in eight league and cup matches.
• Last season, Leighton Baines was involved in 16 Everton league goals (notching five goals and 11 assists). So far, he has been involved in one (one goal, no assists).

Manchester United

• Second-placed United come into the match off a 6-1 loss to title-challenging neighbours Manchester City – their heaviest-ever Premier League defeat.
• Across all competitions, United have not suffered back-to-back defeats for 31 matches.
• Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have only won two of their past six matches.
• United’s top goal-scorer Wayne Rooney (nine in the league, 11 in all competitions) has not scored in the club’s past four Premier League matches. His last league goal came in a 3-1 win against Chelsea on 18 September.