(Credit: Imago)

Chris Smith

Sun 3 August 2025 13:44, UK

Everton go in search of their first win of pre-season when they face Manchester United in Atlanta, Georgia.

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The Toffees have lost three straight games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers following a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley — notwithstanding a behind-closed-doors win over Port Vale at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

OpponentResultAccrington Stanley (A)1-1 DBlackburn Rovers (A)1-0 LPort Vale (H)2-1 WBournemouth (N)3-0 LWest Ham (N)2-1 LEverton’s pre-season results so far

David Moyes will expect a big reaction when his side take on the Red Devils on Sunday, 3 August, at 10pm (UK time) and may make a few tweaks to his side to combat Ruben Amorim.

Here’s how Everton could line up against Man United.

James Tarkowski returned for the final 20 minutes against West Ham, and while he likely won’t start here, he will hope for an even bigger outing.

With Jarrad Branthwaite not travelling to the United States, Moyes will likely run Jake O’Brien and Michael Keane as his centre-back pairing.

Vitaly Mykolenko will start on the left, while Nathan Patterson has seen plenty of action on the right, where Everton are short of numbers.

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James Garner could come back into the starting line-up against his former club, sitting in a double-pivot alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Further forward, Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye will play on the wings, with Carlos Alcaraz supporting the forwards from the No.10 position.

Beto has seen plenty of action this summer, but Moyes may feel like now is the time to give summer signing Thierno Barry his first start up front.

Credit: Buildlineup

Football Insider verdict

David Moyes needs a reaction from his players (Credit: Imago)

It’s been a torrid pre-season for Everton so far, with a lack of goals still following them from last season, while their defensive solidity has deserted them.

That said, there are massive caveats, with Moyes being unable to field his starting centre-back pairing, while new signing Barry is still bedding in.

Moyes has been vocal about the need to bring more new signings in, and it’s clear this squad needs some serious help.

However, in the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Carlos Alcaraz, they still have quality enough to cause this United side a few problems — and that’s without mentioning Barry, who will hopefully hit his stride soon.

Everton’s patched-up defence will still cost them, but a much more promising performance and a goal or two could be on the cards in a 3-2 defeat, before the Toffees return home for one final test at their new home against Roma.

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