Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime with the focus very much on striker Wayne Rooney, after a headline-making week.
The former Toffee has found himself on both front and back pages this week but having broken his goal drought for Manchester United with a penalty against West Ham United last time out, followed by England’s opener against Switzerland on Tuesday, he will be hoping to maintain his former club’s miserable start to the season.
England team-mate Phil Jagielka has already warned the striker that he faces a hot reception from his former fans who have had little to cheer about this season with just one point gleaned from their opening three games against Aston Villa, Wolves and Blackburn Rovers.
Their slow start has led Mikel Arteta to describe Saturday’s match as a “must-win” for David Moyes’ men who go in search of their first three points of the season ahead of games against Newcastle United and Fulham.
Back to business for Red Devils
Manchester United, meanwhile, will no doubt be glad to return to Premier League action after the international break and regain the momentum gained from beating West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Yet Sir Alex Ferguson’s men will know they face a tough ask against Everton, having slumped to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat to the Toffees on their last visit.
The Red Devils have been boosted by the return to fitness of defender Rio Ferdinand who could make his return to action after suffering a knee injury in the build up to the World Cup.
Midfielder Anderson is also back in contention, although with Paul Scholes in sparkling form the Brazilian may have to wait a while longer to complete his return to the first team.
TEAM NEWS
Everton
With goals proving elusive for the Toffees reports have suggested Moyes could make drastic changes to his attack by dropping all his strikers and partnering Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill up front.Certainly the home side are expected to be without Yakubu and Louis Saha through injury while James Vaughan has been loaned to Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere Jack Rodwell has damaged ankle ligaments and could miss the next three months and Phil Neville remains on the injured list.
Possible starting XI: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Pienaar, Heitinga, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov; Fellaini, Cahill.
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand is available after recovering from injury and could return at the expense of Jonny Evans. Otherwise Sir Alex Ferguson will be relieved that his team have suffered no new injuries over the international break. Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.
Prediction
Everton 1-1 Man Utd. 
