Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lost at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season, but Jamie Dickenson is backing the in-form Wayne Rooney to help United make amends
Manchester United get the opportunity to make amends for their opening day defeat to Everton when the two clubs meet at Old Trafford in the 17:00CET kick-off on Sunday.
That day a Marouane Fellaini goal ruined Robin Van Persie’s cameo debut as the Red Devils bucked their normal trend by starting the season with defeat.
Nearly six months on and Alex Ferguson’s side sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, and are available at 4/6 (1.67) to beat Everton.
The Toffees are available at 4/1 (5.0) to complete a remarkable league double over the top-flight pace-setters, while the draw is at 3/1 (4.0).
While United face the first leg of their monumental Champions League Round of 16 tie with Real Madrid next week, they will be tasked with going into that tricky game on the back of victory against Everton.
The hosts are unbeaten in 13 Premier League games and have won their last seven successive matches at Old Trafford in all competitions.
Everton are in decent form themselves, without loss in seven having triumphed in their last four away games.
Fellaini is an injury doubt for David Moyes though, having picked up a hip problem during the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa in which he scored twice.
After the big Belgian’s strike against United in their last encounter, that will be good news for Red Devils fans, who are enjoying a recovery in form from former Everton striker Wayne Rooney.
After a rough start to the season – in which he seemed to fall behind in the pecking order to new boy Robin van Persie – Rooney is currently in the middle of a goalscoring purple patch with five goals from his last four games for club and country.
His opener during the week against Brazil was his 11th goal since December 1, and as a forward whose game relies heavily on confidence, backing Rooney to net first against his old club looks too good to miss at 4/1 (5.0).
Having also opened the deadlock against Manchester City, West Ham and Fulham in recent weeks, supporting the Merseyside-born marksman to do so again looks worthwhile.
If Rooney scores last, Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match.
Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.
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