Manchester United play hosts to Everton on Sunday, in their first major Premier League fixture of the 2014/15 season.
Considering the Red Devils' recent form of late, where they have struggled against the small teams, this will certainly prove to be a very difficult fixture for Louis van Gaal's side, who are currently sitting in 10th place in the Premier League.
Also, United will be well aware of the fact that Everton were one of the seven teams in the Premier League who beat them in their own backyard last season. The Red Devils were also defeated 0-2 by Everton in the reverse fixture at Goodisin Park.
And manager van Gaal, who has had a very difficult start to the new campaign, admits that United will have a difficult game against the Toffees on Sunday.
"I know we lost to them twice last season, so it will be difficult. I hope we can dominate the game but they will want to do that too. They are more likely to play on the counter than us. That's also the difficulty," van Gaal told Premier League's official website.
United's main problem this season has been their backline, who have not been able to stop the opposition from scoring.
The Red Devils have already conceded nine goals in six Premier League fixtures, and this has led to questions as to why van Gaal did not invest on defenders this summer.
Still the Dutchman insists that he is perfectly happy with his defenders Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Tyler Blackett.
"We have conceded too many goals," van Gaal told ESPN. "Everyone is writing it's because of the weak defence, but no. Our problem is that we lose the ball so easily. And I want that to improve."
"I want my defensive organisation (to be) better but the defence begins in the striker's position. All the teams are mostly scoring goals out of counter-attacks against us and free-kicks and corners but not that they make their goals like we do out of building play up."
Meanwhile, Everton will be hoping to again take advantage of United's drop in form and get another win at Old Trafford.
However, it will not be very easy this time around as they themselves are currently not in the best of forms. The Toffees are currently in 17th position in the Premier League, with only a single win out of their opening six fixtures.
Still, they will be heartened by their performance against the Red Devils last season, having done a double over them.
Despite admitting that Everton have lifted the "mental barrier" of playing at Old Trafford, manager Roberto Martinez feels that this season his side are facing a completely different United side.
"[Winning at Old Trafford] was a real mental barrier that we had to break down and there was a feeling of satisfaction and confidence to enable us to reach our next targets," Martinez told Everton's official website.
"This season is completely different. We need to be able to go there and face a different side with a different way of playing and must adapt towards that. A big part of that is being able be ourselves and as good as we can be to get a positive result."
Team News
Manchester United: The Red Devils will be without their captain Wayne Rooney for this game as the striker has been suspended for three matches, after receiving a straight red card against West Ham.
United also have a lot of injury concerns as Michael Carrick (ankle), Evans, (ankle), Marouane Fellaini (foot), Ander Herrera (ribs), Smalling (thigh) and Ashley Young (groin) will all miss this game due to their respective injuries. Jones will also a doubt for this game as he is still having issues with his hamstring.
Everton: Everton, on the other hand, will be without the services of Ross Barkley (knee), Arouna Kone (knee) and Kevin Mirallas (hamstring) as they have been ruled out with their respective injuries.
Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Steven Pienaar are also doubts for this game and will undergo a late fitness test ahead of this game.
Expected Lineups:
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, McNair, Rojo, Shaw; Blind; Valencia, Di Maria; Mata; Falcao, Van Persie
Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; Barry, Besic,;Pienaar, McGeady, Naismith; Lukaku
Where to Watch Live
Get the Match Highlights HERE
Get the Report HERE
The Old Trafford game is set for a 12.00 pm BST (4.30 pm IST, 7.00 am ET) start with live coverage on the Stars Sports 4 and Star Sports 2 HD . The Premier League match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on Star Sports online. Audience in the UK can catch the match live on BT Sports 1, with an option to live stream on BT Sports Online.
Catch the action in the US on TV on NBC Sports Live Extra and NBCSN, while the game can also be Live streamed online on NBC Sports Extra.
Australia viewers can Live Stream the action Fox Sports On Demand, while viewers in Canada can do the same Watch Sportsnet. Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the match via Live Streaming online courtesy Bein Sports Connect, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can do the same via SuperSport online.
