Predicted Manchester United XI to play Everton: RVP in or out?

Match to be played on Wednesday 4th December 2013 at 19:45. Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester.

When David Moyes imagined taking on former side Everton in December after taking over at Manchester United, he would not have suspected his old side would be above his new one.

That is exactly the situation heading into Wednesday's match, where new Everton boss Roberto Martinez will try to do what Moyes never managed - win at Old Trafford.
Everton come into the game in fifth place on 24 points, with United in eighth on 22 points, nine behind league leaders Arsenal who host Hull on the same night.


United have another midfield blow to contend with, Phil Jones is suspended for the fixture after picking up a fifth booking of the season against Tottenham.
Here is how we expect United to line-up...
             De Gea
Smalling Ferdinand Vidic Evra
        Cleverley Fellaini
Valencia    Rooney     Nani
            Hernandez
At this point there has been no confirmation that Robin van Persie is fit to start, so we just can't back him at this stage, but would not be surprised to see him come off the bench.
Wayne Rooney's recent form has also been superb wherever he has played, but considering United's midfield problems we anticipate David Moyes asking him to drop back into the number 10 role rather than risk being left isolated.

We can also see Rio Ferdinand returning to the line-up to partner Nemanja Vidic, to try to combat the aerial threat of Romelu Lukaku.
Tom Cleverley and Marouane Fellaini are our tips for the middle, and the Belgian will be desperate to feature against his former side, although we wouldn't rule out seeing Ryan Giggs come in for Cleverley.

Shinji Kagawa being dropped from the side may disappoint many, but Dabid Moyes has watch Javier Hernandez get the better of his Everton side on a number of occasions in the past, and with Rooney likely to play deeper, and Nani rested at the weekend, we expect the Japanese star may just miss out.
Should Robin van Persie be ruled fit, he will simply slot in up front instead of Hernandez and rest of the line-up will remain unchanged.