Everton at Man Utd: Predicted Line-Up | Garner or O’Brien at right back?

Everton went into the last international break of 2025 with an encouraging home win over Fulham, with David Moyes’ decision to move James Garner to right back giving the side a lot more balance. However, when questioned after the game, the manager did indicate that in more defensive-minded games he would go with Jake O’Brien who provides more of an aerial threat as well.

Manchester United have experienced a resurgence in recent weeks, and Ruben Amorim’s persistence with a 3-4-3 has paid dividends on the attacking front. Given that, we should expect to see Garner returned to his midfield role next to Idrissa Gueye, and O’Brien regaining his spot on the right side of the defence.

Who’s Out?

Per David Moyes in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson are both out after surgery, with midfielder Merlin Rohl joining them on the sidelines after a minor hernia operation.

Everton squad available vs Man Utd

Goalkeepers: Pickford, Travers, King

Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite (INJURED), Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Coleman, Patterson (INJURED), Aznou

Midfielders: Gueye, Garner, Iroegbunam, Dewsbury-Hall, Röhl (INJURED)

Wingers: McNeil, Ndiaye, Grealish, Dibling, Alcaraz

Attackers: Beto, Barry

Tactics and Formation

Everton will likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 they’ve used so far.

Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)

Jordan Pickford – 9/10

Vitaliy Mykolenko – 7/10

Michael Keane – 9/10

James Tarkowski – 8/10

Jake O’Brien – 8/10

Idrissa Gueye – 8/10

James Garner – 8/10

Jack Grealish – 9/10

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8/10 Much better showing from KDH against Fulham

Iliman Ndiaye – 9/10

Thierno Barry – 7/10 The striker is getting closer and closer to his first Everton goal

Bench

Mark Travers

Tom King

Adam Aznou

Seamus Coleman – After a couple of solid showings during the international break, are we ready to see Coleman starting again?

Tim Iroegbunam – Will be unfortunate to miss out after a good performance last time around next to Gana.

Carlos Alcaraz

Dwight McNeil

Tyler Dibling

Beto