I could think of easier teams for Everton to face as they battle to gain their first win of the season. But as last season showed, we should have no reason to fear anyone in this division
Goodison Park
Kick-off: 12.45 BST
TV (UK): Live Sky Sports 1 and highlights, BBC2 Match of the Day.
Predticted teams + referee to follow
Early team news: Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha are serious doubts for the United game. With Yakubu and Victor Anichebe also injured and James Vaughan on loan at Palace David Moyes is facing a another striker shortage.
The solution?
A return to the 4-6-0 formation that served us well in the winter of 2008, with Tim Cahiil and Marouane Fellaini pushing on up front. It proved effective for a few games two season ago but it does mean we will play a bit like Stoke - lumping the ball forward looking for flick ons and looking to take advantage of set pieces. With the amount of flair players we have in our side it is disappointing to have to return to such an agricultural style of football but with Jermaine Beckford still finding his feet in the Premier League, and the team without a win yet this season, Moyes may think he has little option.
Looking at the opposition, well only one player has dominated the build up. There seemed to be a thawing of relations between Wayne Rooney and Evertonians last year after he issued olive branch to us via an interview with Everton TV. But given his latest very public indiscretions with a £1,200 a night prostitute he should expect a tasty reception from the Goodison hordes.
Whether that will help Everton or not remains to be seen. Rooney coped with the pressure in midweek by firing in England's first goal, if similarly wound up on Saturday he could soon shut us all up.
Given Everton's poor start a draw would be a very good result, but the very least we need to see a bit of spirit and attacking threat after three rather limp league performances so far. Liverpool aside, there is no better opposition by which to pick up our first win of the season.
Last meeting 20th February 2010 : Everton 3 Bilyialetdinov, Gosling, Rodwell
Man United 1 Berbatov
External match previews to follow.