Manchester United supporters making the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday for the visit of Everton will see their past, present and future of forward options on the field.
The former is that of Wayne Rooney, who makes his way back to his old home for the first time since his move to back to his boyhood club. United’s all-time top scorer should receive a stirring reception from those who used to adore him.
But the focus of those in red and white will be on the lads currently donning those colours. Most pertinently Romelu Lukaku, who, like Rooney, faces a reunion with his former club. The barrel-chested Belgian has hit the ground running after his transfer from Everton and will be out to add to the six goals he’s scored for the Red Devils this term.
And then there’s Marcus Rashford, just 19, who netted on his UEFA Champions League debut in the week. The Manchester-born poacher endured a testing campaign in 2016-17, though looks to have the spark back that made him such a potent threat in his breakthrough year.
Of course, there will be other footballers involved in what should be a fascinating contest to wrap up the Premier League weekend.
United turned in their worst performance of the campaign so far in the 2-2 draw with Stoke City, as they failed to preserve the cohesion in defence and attack that has served them so well this term. Manager Jose Mourinho will demand that’s back on Sunday.
If they are going to find that blend, they’ll have to do so without Paul Pogba. The Frenchman picked up an injury in midweek against Basel; there’s no doubt his ability to manage a football match with his power and poise will be missed by the home side.
Still, his absence gives others an opportunity and Mourinho has a big decision to make in the centre of midfield. You sense it’ll be either Ander Herrera or the in-form former Everton man Marouane Fellaini who will step in.
While Mourinho has matters to ponder, if Everton perform as they did against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur or Atalanta it’ll be an easy afternoon’s work for the Red Devils.
In the two league matches mentioned the Toffees failed to conjure a single shot on target, with their attacking play narrow, uninventive and one-paced; against Atalanta in the Europa League they were annihilated by the Serie A outfit.
Manager Ronald Koeman may not have been able to land the target man he was so desperate for late in the transfer window, but after a summer of big spending for Everton he needs to find a way of getting this team to function.
Worryingly for the visitors, the defence, having been secure early on in the season, is so brittle too. Against a fired-up and red-hot Lukaku, it’s tough to see any result other than a comfortable United win.
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Romelu Lukaku to Score & Manchester United to Win – 10/11 (Will Hill)
Manchester United to Win to Nil – Evens (Sportbet)
Wayne Rooney to be booked – 10/3 (Paddy Power)
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