Both Everton and Manchester United will be missing key personnel when the two sides meet in the Premier League this weekend, with a mix of long-term absences and fresh fitness concerns affecting the squads on both sides.
United Looking to Build on Ipswich Win
United head into the fixture in good spirits following their victory over Ipswich Town and will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins. That said, Michael Carrick won’t have a fully fit squad to choose from, with several senior players unavailable for the trip to Merseyside.
Everton’s Situation: Norgaard Still Working His Way Back
For Everton, summer arrival Christian Norgaard remains the standout absentee. The Danish international is still waiting for his competitive debut for the club, and manager David Moyes has been candid about the fact that his return isn’t imminent.
Speaking last week, Moyes admitted “Christian is still not making great progress at the moment,” while indicating that a firm timeline isn’t yet in place. He suggested the wait could stretch into a few weeks, but stressed it wasn’t a fresh concern given the club already knew what they were dealing with beforehand, adding that Norgaard’s eventual return would be a welcome boost whenever it comes.
United’s Injury List
United’s absentee list remains largely unchanged from recent weeks. Manuel Ugarte continues his spell on the sidelines with a knee problem, while neither Matthijs de Ligt nor Tom Heaton are expected to be involved as they continue their own recoveries.
There’s also a fresh worry in attack, with Amad Diallo now a doubt after picking up a muscle injury in training. No clear timescale has been put on his return, leaving his availability for the Everton game — and potentially beyond — in question.
What It Means for Sunday
With both sides carrying injury concerns into the weekend, squad depth could play a bigger role than usual in shaping how the match unfolds. United will be hoping their options are enough to see off an Everton side missing a key summer addition, as both managers look to manage their squads through a congested run of fixtures.