Selection headaches at Old Trafford as United host Everton amid Cunha doubt and Sesko blow

Old Trafford under the lights, United on a surge, and Everton smelling an opportunity – that’s your Monday night fare. Ruben Amorim’s side are five unbeaten in the league and climbing with a spring in their step, but the Toffees arrive buoyed by a 2-0 pre-break win over Fulham and fancying a bloody nose for the hosts.

Man United team news: Sesko out, Cunha a concern

First, the big one for the home camp: Benjamin Sesko is out for a few weeks after a knee knock against Spurs. Amorim has played it steady, insisting the issue isn’t long-term and that he expects the striker back before too long – but he won’t be leading the line here.

At the back, it’s more reshuffling. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are unavailable, so the centre-half pairing will need fresh legs and cool heads. In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo faces a late call, and Matheus Cunha is a doubt after a training-ground accident – the sort of setback that gives managers grey hairs the night before a big one.

Amorim’s update and United’s likely set-up

Amorim’s stance on Sesko is calm: sidelined for weeks, yes, but no alarm bells. Expect a pragmatic selection as he protects those carrying knocks. The talk is that the £450,000-a-week trio of Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Cunha could be kept in reserve, fitness permitting, which would tell you everything about game management and bench impact.

There’s noise, too, about United edging towards a £44m agreement for a Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder. That won’t affect Monday’s picks, but it hints at how Amorim wants to layer his engine room across the winter.

Everton team news: Röhl out after surgery, defensive absences linger

Everton have their own bruises. Merlin Röhl is sidelined until around Christmas after hernia surgery, while Nathan Patterson (groin) and Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) are also set to miss out. David Moyes has suggested Röhl should be back and raring to go by December – a relief, but that doesn’t help at Old Trafford.

How the Toffees might shape up

Without Branthwaite’s presence and Patterson’s energy, Everton will likely tighten the full-back roles and protect the box, then try to spring forward quickly. The blueprint is clear: stay compact, nick territory on turnovers, and make the most of set-pieces. If they can drag United into a scrappy rhythm, the crowd will get edgy and the visitors will grow.

Tactics board and pundit’s verdict

United’s recent momentum owes much to sharper counter-pressing and quicker ball circulation into that front unit. Even without Sesko, there’s enough pace and guile to trouble Everton’s reshaped back line. The Toffees’ route to joy is winning second balls and isolating United’s stand-in centre-backs; get that right and they’re in business.

Key takeaway: United are favourites on form, but their absences – and the uncertainty over Cunha and Mainoo – keep the door ajar. Everton must be ruthless in both boxes. If the first goal goes the visitors’ way, this could become a proper arm-wrestle.

Odds and ends

Before you size up the markets, remember the late fitness checks on those United doubts and Everton’s defensive absentees. For a guide to value across the board, have a look at best betting sites round-ups – and always check confirmed teams before having a flutter.

Bottom line

Amorim faces Everton without his headline striker, and that changes the dynamic. Still, United’s unbeaten run and home rhythm should carry them if they keep their foot down. Everton won’t roll over – expect a tight one, decided by who manages the big moments and the benches best.