Manchester United vs Everton - Premier League LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Joshua Zirkzee STARTS as Ruben Amorim addresses injury concerns for Monday night clash against the Toffees

Interesting...

I have just been made aware that a certain Thomas Tuchel is at Old Trafford tonight.

My colleague Nathan Salt then wrote to me: 'He must know about Lacey Ball'.

That would be some feat if Shea Lacey managed to work his way into World Cup contention based on a substitute performance.

Obviously, I know it's a joke from Nathan, don't worry... but just imagine.

Everton absolutely hate playing Manchester United... I mean, HATE it.

They never seem to get a good result. Well, at least it's a real rarity that they do at least.

Manchester United have won 42 Premier League games against the Toffees, the most wins any side has against another in the competition.

Everton have won just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Man Utd (D5 L6), a 1-0 home win in April 2022. They’ve won just one of their last 32 against them at Old Trafford (D8 L23), 1-0 in December 2013.

Yep, not good reading for them.

If I were a Toffees fan, I wouldn't be too excited about kick-off happening when it comes.

Ruben Amorim, Man United manager, speaking to Sky Sports about striker injuries:

Right, I have a question for you all.

How many of the readers of this blog have bought a half-and-half scarf in the past? This fella below has.

Personally, I'm not a fan. However, when I watched Sporting Lisbon last month, I bought one of their scarves, so I can't judge.

Anyway, he is there to support his team, like everybody else, and thousands are now descending on the Theatre of Dreams.

We are less than an hour from kick-off.

Chris Sutton, former Premier League striker, on BBC Sport:

Well, there is no Matheus Cunha.

The Manchester United forward had to pull out of turning on the Christmas lights in Altrincham the other day, but it was unclear as to why.

A statement said it was due to an 'accident in training', but that is all we were told.

Clearly, he must be injured as tonight he is absent from the squad. Hopefully, United will tell us more information on what the 'medical reasons' are.

Nonetheless, it's a big blow.

Joshua Zirkzee finally has his chance.

The striker has barely had a sniff all season due to the signing of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. He has surely been tearing his hair out (and there is a lot of it).

But tonight, Ruben Amorim has gifted him the keys to the engine of the frontline, and he simply can't crash.

Look, we all know it's never easy coming in to start when you barely have any game time. Zirkzee is going to be incredibly rusty and will spend the first few minutes trying to get oil in those bolts.

This is football at the top level, though, and he simply has to perform now that he has been handed an opportunity.

The Dutchman did score a brace against Everton here last year, which should give him confidence.

Can he do the same today?

Well, this is a surprise.

Seamus Coleman is starting at right-back this evening for Everton, which is a real rarity these days.

The Toffees skipper is the only change to the team that beat Fulham before the international break.

Here is the confirmation.

Joshua Zirkzee will indeed start up top for Manchester United this evening in the absence of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

Leny Yoro also comes into the side while Lisandro Martinez returns to the bench.

Ruben Amorim, Man United manager, speaking on Friday: