Our live stream ahead of Wednesday nights EFL Cup match between Everton and Manchester United is now up, kicking off at 20.00 GMT
You can keep an eye on the commentary as it happens below, but first, we take a preview into the fixture, lineups, predictions and much more…
The Toffees come into the match off the back of three successive wins over Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal in the space of a week to come away from a difficult build-up to Christmas with maximum points in the Premier Leauge.
A run of just one win in seven – including a defeat at home to Man United – before that had seen them slip down the table, but Everton have now climbed back up to fourth, level on points with Wednesday’s visitors.
Everton have reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in successive years for the first time since 1987-88, but they have only gone on to reach the semis twice since then.
The Toffees have not won a major trophy since beating Man United in the 1995 FA Cup final but have a serial winner at the helm in the form of Ancelotti – although this was the one domestic piece of silverware he failed to win during his time with Chelsea.
United come into the game having battered bitter rivals Leeds 6-2 on Sunday. The win made it 19 points from the last 21 on offer to them in the Premier League, lifting them up to third in the table and five points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
Whilst Man United’s home form had been poor up until the Leeds win, their away form has been remarkable, becoming only the fourth side in English top-flight history to win 10 successive away games.
The Red Devils are looking to beat Everton twice at Goodison Park in the same season for only the second time, having previously done so in 1993-94, which also included their last League Cup meeting.
Just two weeks ago Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job was coming under scrutiny following their exit from the Champions League group stages, but now they find themselves being tipped as title contenders and just 90 minutes away from reaching the semi-finals of another cup competition.
The two clubs met last month in a Premier League tie at Goodison Park, with Manchester United winning 3-1…
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Carlo Ancelotti
On Digne contract
“We are pleased to try and renew the contract of Digne, he is an important player for us for now, for the future.”
“It will not be a problem to renew his contract. He is happy with us and we are happy with him.”
Gbamin update
“We’re taking our time with Gbamin. No injury setback.”
James Latest
“James Rodriguez not available for tomorrow.”
Trophy or top four finish?
“I don’t know what is best (top 4 or a trophy). Tomorrow is an important game, it is the QF of a competition that Everton have never won against a very tough opponent. It is a great opportunity.”
Fernandes and Man Utd threat
“I learned that if you leave space to Bruno Fernandes then you are dead – he is a fantastic player and the key point to Utd and we need to take care of this.”
Fan influence
“Playing at Goodison can be an advantage because of our support, even with just 2,000 fans.”
Covid protocols
“I think the protocol that the Premier League and Government put in place to restart the season was really good.”
“If they decide to be tested two times a week, we have to do without any problem or doubt. The protocol is working because were able to play games.”
Cup importance
“We give a lot of importance to this competition. Everton never won it [before]. We are two games from the final so it would be fantastic to play a final if possible. We are going to put out our strongest team.”
Busy festive period
“It’s difficult in this moment, it is a busy period and players are tired but I think we have a squad to manage this.”
More on United
“United is a team that in general did very well. Going out in Europe might have affected them but they are doing well in the PL and have players of top, top quality.”
More on James injury
“We are not concerned. We are sad because James is an important player for us but if he’s not able to play, not ready, we cannot push him to come back. We have to wait.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
On Leeds win
“Yes it was, I just wish the fans could have been there experiencing that one live because it was a great game of football. Two teams that wanted to attack and create chances.”
“As I said they could have easily had four or five and we could have had 10 or 12. Pick the bones out of the one if you’re a coach! [Smiles]”
“But there was effort, energy and enthusiasm, and the quality was really good as well. Some of the movements and combination play was really good.”
On Team Spirit
“Yes the spirit is very good and why shouldn’t it be. First of all we’ve won the last game but we’ve also had a few good results after the early setback in December.”
“Everyone deserves credit. They’ve been focused and we know every three days we’ve got a game and they’ve recovered really well between matches.”
“Every game is like a cup final – the one you have next is the most important one and let’s deal with any issues or injuries afterwards.”
On Jesse Lingard and Axel Tuanzebe
“They have been working hard and all credit to them. We’ve been pushing for more subs and a bigger squad [for matchdays] because there is still a group training that isn’t in the matchday squad and that can be mentally difficult. But the attitude and the quality has been really good and they’re getting closer and closer.”
On Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay
“Those [two] will miss the game at Everton definitely. Hopefully it won’t be too long. They’ll be out, but apart from that I think everyone is more or less okay.”
On making changes
“I’m not going to give you the team! [Laughs] But we will make a few changes. There have been a few players playing in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season and some will need a rest after the Leeds game. So it will be a fresh team.”
On last meeting with Everton
“Yes it was a very good performance. We played some decent stuff in the beginning but with more or less their first attack there was a long ball and a flick-on by Calvert-Lewin, as he normally does, and they scored and that was a setback, especially after the long travel we’d had and the setback in Turkey.”
“But the reaction was fantastic and the rest of the performance was really good. We defended really well and countered when we had a 2-1 lead and the first and second goals were two great team goals with good build-up play.”
On Everton from since Richarlison returned
“He’s a top player and a difficult one to mark. Of course they missed him that day but then again all teams will miss players at certain points in the season anyway.”
“We missed some players in that game, they might miss someone now and we’ll miss someone now, so that just swings and roundabouts.”
On final being moved back to April to hopefully accomodate fans
“It’s probably the best decision for the two teams that get to the final, but for me now I don’t think that far ahead.”
“We’ve just got to go one game at a time and now it’s the quarters and we’ve got a chance to get into the semis. Then again we’ve got a big league run coming up too.”
“But all eyes are on this one and we’ll pick a team that we think is fresh and ready for this game.”
On two years at United
“Well we had a 5-1 win then and a 6-2 win now so we’re scoring more and conceding more! [Laughs] I’m very pleased with everyone. The staff are great – fantastic energy and enthusiasm, and the workrate of them and the players as well.”
“The players have bought into what we’re doing. We’re getting fitter and stronger and, for me, I see more and more of a team that I like.”
FORM:
Everton EFL Cup form: WWW
Everton form (all competitions): WLDWWW
Manchester United EFL Cup form: WW
Manchester United form (all competitions): LWLDWW
LINEUPS:
Everton possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Godfrey; Davies, Doucoure; Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Telles; Matic, Pogba; Mata, Fernandes, Van de Beek; Cavani
SPORTSMOLE PREDICTION:
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
This is a difficult match to call between two in-form teams who are likely to make changes to their starting XI, and both will go into this match fully confident that they can progress to the semi-finals.
It is a match which could go either way, but given that changes are likely and that Man United possess greater strength in depth than the hosts, we believe that could be the deciding factor in an away win.
Time to take a look at our Everton vs Man Utd live match stream as it happens…
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