Manchester United are faced with an opportunity that, quite frankly, they must take advantage of. They’re playing on the road against Everton in an always-difficult ground, but if they win, they’ll pass rival Manchester City, in the table. In fact, if Arsenal fail to win against Chelsea later in the day, United would climb up to second place. They might not have this kind of chance for the rest of the season, and especially with Arsenal holding a game in hand, they need to take it and try to gain any advantage they can over their London rival.
Everton vs. Manchester United 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Manchester United have a chance to move up to second place in the Premier League table if they can beat Everton.
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For Everton, there’s not much to win or lose out of this match. There’s little chance of relegation this late in the season even if the Blues lose out, and their best case scenario is to end the campaign in a somewhat higher midtable standing than they have now. What they can do, though, is wreck the dreams of other clubs, and if they can continue their five-match unbeaten run, they’d put a pretty big dent in Manchester’s dream of finishing second. Playing spoiler can be one hell of a motivation, even if it just lasts one match.
Key player - Romelo Lukaku (Everton)
There has been one consistent truth for Everton this season: when Lukaku plays well, Everton play well. In point of fact, they usually win when he scores, losing only three matches and drawing two of the fifteen matches Lukaku has scored in across all competitions. Everton will be throwing everything they can at United in order to score an early goal or two, but they’ll also be trying to make sure that goal goes through Lukaku. If he gets rolling quickly in this match, United’s somewhat battered defense is in for a world of hurt.
Key Matchup - Gareth Barry (Everton) vs. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
Under Louis Van Gaal, Fellaini has been used in a somewhat unorthodox, all-action role over the last couple of months that has seen him return to the effectiveness he once enjoyed at Everton. With James McCarthy not a lock to play and not at full health even if he does, it’s going to be up to Barry to keep Fellaini in check. In his prime, that would probably be a fairly straightforward task -- but Barry isn’t exactly in his prime any more. If he can’t do the job, Fellaini has the ability to make this a bad day for his former team.
Everton injuries and suspensions
Out: Bryan Oviedo (hamstring), Darron Gibson (foot), Tony Hibbert (knee) In doubt: James McCarthy (ankle), Leon Osman (groin)
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafael (ribs), Marco Rojo (groin), Phil Jones (ankle), Michael Carrick (calf) In doubt: Adnan Janzuaj (ankle), Daley Blind (ankle)
Both squads are dealing with injuries to various key players, but Manchester United have more depth with which to deal with those injuries. Everton will be especially hard-hit if McCarthy isn’t fit to start, as he’s often been the key to their midfield.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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