Only three Man Utd players make combined XI with Everton
Manchester United could be one place above relegation by the end of the weekend if they lose away to Everton on Saturday. If the pressure wasn't already on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's job then it will really ramp up a notch with a third defeat in the space of six days.
The Red Devils followed up their 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal with a dismal 2-1 loss away to Istanbul Basasekhir in midweek. Solskjaer's side face Everton in Saturday's early kick-off having failed to win three of their last four matches at Goodison Park.
Everton do not head into this weekend's contest in great form themselves, having lost their last two, but Carlo Ancelotti's side are at least in the top four at the time of writing. The Toffees made a flying start to the campaign with four straight wins, with the likes of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez off to flying starts.
In the build-up to a meeting of two of English football's greatest clubs, we analysed what a combined XI between the two sides based on this season's Premier League stats. This is usually something United would dominate but not this time around. Those available for Saturday's game are considered and they must have featured in at least four league games this season.
Having conceded 13 goals in their opening six league matches, it's not a surprise there is no United goalkeeper or defender in sight. Everton haven't been particularly great at the back themselves, but they haven't endured any sort of capitulation like United's 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham. Remarkably, Jordan Pickford makes the XI with a WhoScored rating of just 6.43. Given all of his criticism this season, it doesn't make good reading for David de Gea and his 6.21 rating.
Into midfield and there is at least one United name. It's not star name Paul Pogba or their sole big money summer signing Donny van de Beek, but in fact Scott McTominay. The Scotland international isn't everyone's cup of tea but he has notably won Solskjaer's trust in the big matches. With a less-than-impressive WhoScored rating of 6.93, McTominay has garnered the highest WhoScored rating of any central midfielder between the two sides in the Premier League this season.
Richarlison misses out on a place in the team due to suspension and his absence allows Marcus Rashford into the side. The 23-year-old has at least managed four goals and assists in six league games so far this season but his WhoScored rating of 6.95 pales in comparison to Richarlison's (7.38). Rashford is joined in the team by team-mate Bruno Fernandes (7.41). The 26-year-old hasn't been at his best so far this season but that hasn't stopped him from contributing with the most key passes in the division (19) and five goals and assists in six games.
As you would expect, Everton duo Rodriguez and Calvert-Lewin make up the XI. Both have been linked with moves to United in the past and Solskjaer will hope neither inflict further misery on his side. Rodriguez averages the third most key passes pg (2.8) in the Premier League this season and has played a direct hand in six goals in his first six league games for Everton, while Calvert-Lewin has impressively scored eight goals in seven games.
