Everton vs Manchester United kicks off today, Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 2:00pm GMT (9:00am ET) at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and this early-season Premier League clash carries far more weight than a typical Matchweek 3 fixture. Both David Moyes and Michael Carrick have built genuine momentum, and one manager is about to see that momentum tested hard.
Everton’s Bright Start Under Moyes
David Moyes, now in his second spell in charge at Goodison Park’s successor stadium, has Everton playing with real identity early on. The Toffees opened the campaign with a home win over Crystal Palace before grinding out a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, rescued by James Tarkowski’s late equalizer from a corner. A win today would see Everton claim back-to-back home victories at Hill Dickinson Stadium for only the second time since the club moved in, a small but meaningful milestone for a squad still settling into its new surroundings.
There is a cloud over Merseyside, though. Deadline day brought the surprise sale of winger Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City, stripping Moyes of a key creative outlet just as his side found its rhythm.
On the plus side, striker Thierno Barry has been in ruthless form, already netting four goals across all competitions this season, including a hat-trick against Moyes’ former club Preston North End in the EFL Cup.
United’s Fernandes-Powered Fire
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United arrive off the back of contrasting results. A shock 0-3 opening-day defeat to Hull City raised alarm bells.
But United answered emphatically with a 5-2 demolition of Ipswich Town, driven by a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick and assist. That performance was no fluke either. United fired off 33 shots against Ipswich, their most in a single league match since October 2016, generating an eye-watering expected goals tally of 4.77.
This is also a milestone occasion for Carrick himself. Today marks the 20th Premier League match of his second, now-permanent spell in charge, and remarkably, no club in the entire division has collected more points than Manchester United’s 42 across that stretch. Whatever the noise around Old Trafford in recent seasons, Carrick has quietly built one of the most consistent runs in English football.
The Fernandes Factor and the History Books
If there is one name Everton fans should be nervous about, it is Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese captain has been directly involved in 11 goals across his last 13 Premier League appearances against Everton,
A staggering record that puts him in the same company as Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and David Beckham for goal involvements against a single opponent. History also favors the visitors more broadly, with United winning seven of the last nine meetings between these two clubs across all competitions.
Injury Picture and What to Expect
Carrick will again be without a lengthy list of absentees, including Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo, Carlos Baleba, Tom Heaton, and Manuel Ugarte, meaning squad depth will be tested. Everton, by contrast, are missing only summer signing Christian Nørgaard, giving Moyes a near-full deck to work with.
With United installed as favorites but Everton unbeaten and full of confidence at home, this has the makings of a tightly contested affair. If Fernandes finds his usual magic against this opponent, Manchester United could pull away. If Everton’s defensive discipline holds and Barry stays sharp up front, Moyes might just spring the upset Merseyside is craving.
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