Football is weird. Seriously. You can spend millions on a tactical setup, hire the most sophisticated coaching staff in Europe, and plan for every contingency, yet a single moment of madness ruins everything. That’s basically what happened the last time these two met.
When people talk about Everton vs Man United, they usually expect the "Big Six" club to steamroll the scrappy Merseysiders. History suggests that's the safe bet. But if you watched the November 2024 clash at Old Trafford, you know safe bets are for people who don't watch the Premier League.
In a match that marked Ruben Amorim’s one-year anniversary at the helm of United, Everton did the unthinkable. They won 1-0. With ten men. For nearly the entire game.
The Slap Heard 'Round the Stretford End
Let’s be honest, the 13th minute of that November match was pure comedy for neutrals and a nightmare for the Toffees. Idrissa Gueye, a veteran who should know better, got into a heated argument with his own teammate, Michael Keane. Then he slapped him.
Straight red.
Most teams fold there. You’re at Old Trafford, the crowd is up, and you’ve just lost your midfield engine because he couldn't keep his hands off his center-back. But David Moyes—returning to his old stomping ground—turned Everton into a human wall.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a summer signing who has been a breath of fresh air, scored a screamer in the 29th minute. After that? It was the Jordan Pickford show. He made save after save, denying Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo, to secure Everton’s first win at Old Trafford since 2013.
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It’s these kinds of results that keep the Everton vs Man United rivalry so spicy. It doesn't matter who is in form.
Current State of Play: January 2026
As we sit here in mid-January 2026, the table tells a story of two teams stuck in the "almost" category. United are hovering around 7th place with 32 points. They’ve been inconsistent, to put it mildly. Amorim has implemented his system, but they still look toothless against teams that sit deep.
Everton, meanwhile, are sitting in 12th with 29 points. Only three points separate these two. Think about that. For all the spending at United, they are one bad week away from being jumped by a team that spent most of the last three years flirting with relegation.
- Manchester United: 8 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses. (32 points)
- Everton: 8 wins, 5 draws, 8 losses. (29 points)
The gap is closing. Or maybe United is just falling.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
There’s a common misconception that United "always" beats Everton. While the head-to-head record favors the Red Devils—97 wins to 71 across all competitions—the modern era is much more balanced.
In the last 15 meetings, Everton has managed to snag points in more than half of them if you count draws. They are the ultimate "banana skin" team.
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Another myth? That this is a "friendly" rivalry because both fanbases hate Liverpool. While it’s true they share a common enemy, the games on the pitch are brutal. Everton has the joint-highest red card count in Premier League history (110), and they often save their most aggressive tackles for the trips to Manchester.
The Transfer Connection
You can’t talk about these two without mentioning the revolving door of players. It’s kinda like they have each other on speed dial.
Wayne Rooney is the obvious one, but look at the current squads. James Garner, a United academy product, is now the heartbeat of Everton's midfield. On the flip side, there are constant rumors—confirmed by former Everton CEO Keith Wyness—that Everton are looking at United "outcasts" like Joshua Zirkzee for a January loan.
It’s a weird ecosystem. United develops them (or buys them for too much), and Everton eventually provides them with a home where they actually get to play.
Why the Tactics Matter More Than the Names
Amorim loves his three-at-the-back system. It’s supposed to provide width and control. But against Moyes’ Everton, it looked clunky.
Everton plays a very specific brand of "suffering." They are happy to have 30% possession. They want you to cross the ball because Tarkowski and Keane will head it away all day. When United moves the ball slowly, they play right into Everton's hands.
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Honestly, United lacks a "chaos factor" right now. Without someone who can beat a man one-on-one consistently, they struggle to break down the low block that Everton has mastered.
What to Watch for in the Next Meeting
If you're looking for a safe way to analyze the next Everton vs Man United game, look at the first 15 minutes.
- The Press: Does United commit bodies forward early? If they don't score in the first half-hour, the Old Trafford crowd gets restless, and that’s when Everton pounces.
- Set Pieces: Everton is statistically one of the most dangerous teams from corners. United’s zonal marking has been shaky at best.
- The Midfield Battle: If Kobbie Mainoo is fit, United has a chance to dictate. If not, expect James Garner to haunt his former club again.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following this fixture closely, don't just look at the names on the back of the jerseys. Look at the defensive organization.
- Watch the xG: In their last game, United had an xG of nearly 2.0 but scored zero. Everton had an xG of 0.8 and scored one. Efficiency is the only stat that matters for the Toffees.
- Track the Discipline: These games are emotional. Expect cards. A lot of them.
- Injury Reports: Everton's depth is thin. If Tarkowski or Branthwaite are out, the "human wall" crumbles.
The reality is that Everton vs Man United has moved away from being a predictable blowout. It’s now a tactical chess match between a team trying to find its new identity and a team that has embraced being the league's toughest out. Whether it's a moment of brilliance from a player like Dewsbury-Hall or a moment of insanity like a teammate-on-teammate slap, this fixture always delivers something you haven't seen before.
Check the upcoming schedule for the return leg at Goodison Park. Given the current table, that game could legitimately determine who stays in the hunt for European football and who slips into the mid-table abyss.
To stay ahead of the next match, monitor the late January transfer window movements, specifically regarding United's search for a clinical finisher and Everton's pursuit of defensive reinforcements. These additions usually shift the betting lines and tactical expectations significantly 48 hours before kickoff.