Everton will host Manchester United in a Premier League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on Sunday, August 6, at 2pm (13:00 GMT). Al Jazeera Sport will provide build-up from 10:00 GMT ahead of the live coverage.

Manchester United Manager Pleased with Squad Additions

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed satisfaction with the additions to his squad despite being outspent by Premier League rivals in the transfer window and facing depth issues in some areas. Carrick highlighted that the Red Devils focused on rebuilding their midfield, with the departures of Casemiro and a serious injury to Manuel Ugarte countered by the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba for a combined 155 million pounds ($210m).

Manchester City broke the British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez, spending nearly 155 million pounds on a single player, while Liverpool splashed up to 123 million pounds ($166m) on French winger Bradley Barcola. Despite these financial challenges, Carrick noted the importance of adapting within constraints.

“We went into the window wanting to come out stronger from the group that we had last season, as We’ve definitely added to that,” Carrick said in a pre-match media conference. He acknowledged the financial limitations but remained optimistic about the new signings.

Areas of Concern for Manchester United

Despite the recent additions, Carrick acknowledged that Manchester United remain short in defense, with the injury-prone Luke Shaw as their only senior option at left-back; he emphasized the need for adaptability and highlighted that building a competitive squad takes time.

Joshua Zirkzee was expected to leave Old Trafford to boost Carrick’s funds, but the Netherlands international remains at United despite limited game time in the past two seasons. Carrick expressed confidence in Zirkzee’s potential, stating that the competition for places is healthy and beneficial for the team.

Everton’s Transfer Window Frustrations

Everton manager David Moyes admitted to being left with a small squad after a disappointing transfer window, where key players departed and a deadline-day medical for American striker Folarin Balogun fell through. Moyes expressed disappointment at the club’s close-season business, noting the challenges of retaining key players in the face of competition from bigger teams.

AS Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro mentioned that Everton raised concerns over Balogun’s medical late on deadline day, leading the player to pull out due to discomfort with the doubts raised. Moyes acknowledged the situation but remained optimistic about the upcoming season.

Everton’s Fans’ Forum criticized the club’s planning and recruitment efforts, stating that supporters deserved answers after another window marked by late activity and a failed pursuit of key targets. Moyes emphasized the need for academy players to step up and contribute to the squad.

Everton and Manchester United last met in a Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium in February, with Manchester United winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Benjamin Sesko. The last time Everton defeated Manchester United was in a Premier League fixture at Old Trafford last season, with Idrissa Gueye sent off early and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring the winner.

The Opta supercomputer predicts a 38.3 percent chance of a win for Everton and a 33.3 percent chance for Manchester United; Historically, the two teams have met 216 times, with United winning 97 times and Everton 69.

Everton’s Jack Grealish is set to make his matchday squad debut after his transfer deadline day loan from Manchester City; Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also appear following the September 1 move for the ex-Arsenal defender. Christian Norgaard, another former Gunner, misses out with a knock.

Everton’s predicted starting lineup includes Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry; Manchester United will start with Carlos Baleba still sidelined due to an ankle injury. Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, and Matthijs de Ligt are also injured.