By Nick Ware

2nd Oct, 2021 | 7:27am

Michael Owen predicts Everton v Manchester United scoreline

Michael Owen predicts Manchester United to come away with all three points in their Old Trafford encounter with Everton on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils play host to a resurgent Blues side under old foe Rafa Benitez, who had several run-ins with them during his spell at Liverpool.

Everton and Manchester United are currently two of five clubs level on 13 points after six Premier League games this season, and a win for either would send them top of the table, momentarily at least.

Ex-Manchester United striker Owen, however, doesn’t see Everton causing too much trouble to his old side.

“I didn’t see that defeat to Villa coming for Man United,” Owen told BetVictor. “That was a disappointing performance, and I reckon one thing is for certain, Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking the penalties from now on!

“After a couple of bad results to Villa and then to QPR in the cup, Everton bounced back with a win at home to Norwich.

“Norwich were the ideal opponents to get some confidence back and frankly, it’s hard to read too much into the win.

“Everton haven’t won at Old Trafford since 2013 and I don’t think they’ll be winning this one. I’m predicting a 3-1 Man United win.”

Series of stars out

Both sides will be ruing the losses of some key players on Saturday.

Manchester United are set to be without Harry Maguire while Luke Shaw is a doubt, and Marcus Rashford remains out.

Everton, meanwhile, have even more issues in the injury department.

Star attacking duo Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are still sidelined alongside Seamus Coleman and Andre Gomes, while Jordan Pickford and Alex Iwobi are doubtful.

However, Andros Townsend and Demarait Gray have stepped up to the fore since signing in the summer and are likely to provide the attacking thrust at Old Trafford, while Abdoulaye Doucoure will look to build on a stunning start to the 2021/22 campaign that has seen him register five direct goal contributions in six Premier League matches.

In other Everton news, Simon Jordan has claimed the Blues are ‘another Derby’ and will need Farhad Moshiri to bail them out.

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