Premiership
Old Trafford
Sunday, 23 December; KO: 12:00 BST

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Premiership Table:


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Manchester United expect Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and Wes Brown to have shaken off minor knocks.

Park Ji-sung is unlikely to figure, having this week missed a reserve-team game against Oldham, but he is expected to feature over the festive period.

Tim Howard, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Joseph Yobo could all return for Everton after being rested against AZ Alkmaar.

Everton will be without Leon Osman, Alan Stubbs and Leighton Baines.


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MANCHESTER UNITED
from:

Van der Sar, Kuszczak
Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evra
Fletcher, Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Hargreaves, Park, Giggs
Saha, Rooney, Tevez


EVERTON
from:

Howard, Wessels, Neville, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Valente, Pienaar, Carsley, Arteta, Cahill, Gravesen, McFadden, Yakubu, Johnson, Anichebe, Vaughan.


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Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "Everton have done exceptionally well this season and David Moyes takes all the credit for that. "It is a young team with a future which augurs well for Everton. They will be a handful and we'll need our best form. "David has put youngsters on long-term contracts to keep some continuity and made some good buys to strengthen."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta: "We are on a very good run and must try to enjoy it. "Old Trafford is my favourite away ground, they are always very hard games but we'll try to get something from it. "I love Cristiano Ronaldo, his development has been unbelievable. He handles pressure so well and is improving all the time."

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David Moyes' men will arrive at Old Trafford full of confidence ahead of the 175th clash between United and Everton.
Recent form has been strong, although the Toffees haven't beaten the Reds in the last six meetings.


Form guide:



haven't lost in any competition for more than two months...
and that was via a debatable last-minute penalty to neighbours Liverpool.

Since then, the Blues have looked lethal in front of goal and even rattled seven past a hapless Sunderland side.



will also be full of belief after beating Liverpool at Anfield last weekend thanks to a predatory


Carlos Tevez strike



What's more, the Reds have looked almost impenetrable at home, conceding just two goals at Old Trafford this season.


Ins and outs:



were dealt a blow last week when Leon Osman broke his toe and was ruled out until the end of January.
The Blues will also be without Alan Stubbs, while Leighton Baines faces a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury.



barring long-term absentees, are relatively injury free.


Star men:


marksman

Yakubu
can't stop scoring.
A summer signing from Middlesbrough, he's now finding the net regularly and has nine in the league this season.




The spotlight in this fixture, however, undoubtedly falls on

Wayne Rooney
and the former Everton prodigy would love to net his first goal since returning from an ankle injury

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BIG-MATCH FACTS


The top two clubs on the Premier League's "Last Six Form" table go head-to-head at Old Trafford;
Everton have claimed 14 of the 18 points, Manchester United 13.

The Red Devils are on the longest current winning sequence in the highest league of three games;
the Merseysiders are on the longest current unbeaten run of seven.

Both clubs are ever-presents in the Premier League, each playing their 600th match.
United have won more than any other club (379);
Everton have lost more (236).

Manchester United have won more Premier League matches against Everton than any other club, and the Merseysiders have lost more games in this league
against the Red Devils that any other side (24).

CLUB FORM:

Club stats
Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES




Cristiano RONALDO
is Manchester United's top scorer with 14 goals.

RONALDO is also their leading Premier League marksman with nine.
He jointly leads the race for the Barclays Golden Boot, alongside Arsenal's Emmanuel ADEBAYOR, and Ayegbeni YAKUBU of Middlesbrough.



Rio FERDINAND
is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

If selected:-

Wayne ROONEY will be facing a former club.
The 21 year old England international striker made 77 appearances (67 in the league) and scored 17 goals (15 league) for Everton
at the beginning of his professional career from February 2003 to his £20m move to Old Trafford in August 2004.

If on the field from the outset:-

Nemanja VIDIC will be making his 50th Premier League start in a Manchester United shirt.

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th club league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

Long term injury, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.





YAKUBU is Everton's top scorer with 11 goals; five in the last three league and cup games.

YAKUBU is also the clubs' top Premier League marksman with nine.
He jointly leads the race for the Barclays Golden Boot, alongside Arsenal's Emmanuel ADEBAYOR, and Cristiano RONALDO of Manchester United.

YAKUBU is one of 12 players contributing to the Everton Premier League goal tally.
It is the joint longest goalscorers list in the highest league, alongside Tottenham's.

James McFADDEN is now just one shy of 50 club career goals.


Tim HOWARD
will be facing a former club.
The 28 year old United States international keeper made 77 appearances (45 in the league) for United
between July 2003 and his move to Goodison three years later.



Phil NEVILLE
will also be opposing former club mates.
The 30 year old England international made 389 appearances (263 in the league) and scored eight goals (five league)
between July 1994 and his transfer to Everton in the 2005 close season.

If selected:-

Leon OSMAN will be making his 150th career league appearance (Everton, Carlisle and Derby).

Andrew JOHNSON will be making his 50th appearance in an Everton shirt.

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

Manchester United 3-0 Everton
29 November 2006 - Ref: Mark Halsey

Manchester United scorers:


Ronaldo 39

Evra 63


O'Shea 89

Everton 0-1 Manchester United
15 September 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley
Manchester United scorer:




Vidic 83