BBC pundit says Manchester United beating Everton will depend on one player

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United take on Everton this weekend in a big Premier League match at Old Trafford.

After two straight defeats, Manchester United‘s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are hanging by a thread.

This weekend’s opponents are Sean Dyche’s Everton, who have three draws and two defeats from their past five games.

But after Manchester United’s limp 2-1 loss at home to Fulham in the last game at Old Trafford, nobody will be taking anything for granted.

Manchester United backed to win – or are they…

Manchester United need a win to start putting pressure on Tottenham and Aston Villa again – who face each other on Sunday.

BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton is unconvinced over whether United will beat Everton, suggesting the home team’s chances of a win are totally dependent on Rasmus Hojlund, whether he will return from injury.

He said: “Whether United do win this game or not probably comes down to whether striker Rasmus Hojlund is fit.

“If he does make it back from injury, it gives them a focal point in attack. Without him, we saw what happened to United last time out at Old Trafford when they lost to Fulham.”

Hojlund’s status for the game is unclear. He has not yet been pictured in training, with Erik ten Hag calling up a group of academy strikers into his sessions this week.

When asked this week by a supporter whether he would be fit, Hojlund gave a cryptic response.

An update on the Dane’s fitness will be provided at the manager’s press conference on Friday lunchtime.

Perhaps there is a good omen, however. Sutton is predicting Manchester United win the game 2-1, which suggests from his comments that he believes Hojlund might be passed fit.

Erik ten Hag has 100 per cent record v Everton

Erik ten Hag has a perfect record against Everton during time at the club so far, which is impressive, because the Toffees have been awkward opponents in the past.

The most recent match was a 3-0 win at Goodison Park, notable for both Alejandro Garnacho‘s overhead kick and Kobbie Mainoo‘s first start of the season.

The last league game at Old Trafford between the teams was a 2-0 win over Dyche’s men last season.

Ten Hag also defeated the Toffees 3-1 in the FA Cup and 2-1 in the Premier League when Frank Lampard was in charge.

READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group