Manchester United face Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League today. Ruben Amorim won his first Europa League game against Bodo/Glimt in Wednesday, and United’s new manager will be hoping to make it two in a row. United drew with Ipswich Town last weekend, but the players were starting to gel under Amorim’s new system against Bodo/Glimt, and there were positive indicators for the coming weeks.

United drew with Ipswich Town last weekend, but the players were starting to gel under Amorim’s new system against Bodo/Glimt, and there were positive indicators for the coming weeks.

Everton, one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League, returned from the international break with a goalless draw against Brentford at Goodison Park.

Amorim reiterated again on Thursday night United “have to rotate the team”. Six changes against Bodo/Glimt was more than expected and he could stray close to that number against Everton. Rasmus Hojlund was “dead” after a 90-minute shift and some of the substitutions were made with today’s game in mind. Diogo Dalot, Amad and Marcus Rashford will all be relatively fresh after their second-half appearances. Christian Eriksen did not play at all and United are certain to have the majority of possession this afternoon

Amorim emphasizes the importance of having the ball as there is limited time to recover. However, Kobbie Mainoo has been unused in Amorim’s first two games in charge, despite the fact that United would benefit from a conductor in midfield against shot-shy Everton. Mainoo’s full Premier League debut was a memorable one in a 3-0 victory at Goodison Park 12 months ago, but he is unlikely to be rushed back into the starting XI eight weeks later.

Mason Mount’s first Premier League start in 99 days could come today, following his first in 96 days in midweek. His most remarkable performance for United came at Brighton, but it was cut short due to an injury.

Amorim definitely made too many changes against Bodo/Glimt, and despite the short turnaround, it would make sense to lower that number against Everton. With four other centre backs out of the running, Amorim is unable to revert to Casemiro as a starting midfielder. Christian Eriksen would be more valuable because United are likely to dominate possession today, but Bruno Fernandes should remain there after excelling from deep against Everton in the past. That means Mason Mount will make his Premier League debut after a 99-day absence. Alejandro Garnacho had a mixed night on Thursday and should rest, while Rasmus Hojlund needs to improve on his two goals.

Amorim has selected 17 starts for two games, but his decision is becoming obvious after a week of auditions. Noussair Mazraoui is now one of the first names on the squad roster, and Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez should begin with him. Amad and Diogo Dalot are the leading candidates for the wing-back positions. The midfield and attacking sectors will rotate. Manuel Ugarte should start again this weekend, and I would keep his relationship with Fernandes intact. Kobbie Mainoo has yet to get off the bench and is unlikely to start, although Fernandes has performed well in a deeper role.

This allows Mount to play in one of the No.10 positions, and I would again partner him with Garnacho. There will be a desire to rotate in attack, but Hojlund is the club’s best No.9, so give him some playing time.

Following their victory over Bodo/Glimt, the defensive line regroups. Mazraoui has established himself as undroppable figure, De Ligt is well-placed to start in the centre and Martinez is tailor-made for the left-sided centre-back job. Amad should be reinstalled as right-wing back after demonstrating promise in that position at Ipswich. However, assuming Shaw is fit enough, I would want to see him start in the other wing-back position after two cameo appearances. Ugarte will now look to establish himself as a regular starter after debuting in midweek. Mainoo should be considered to play with him.