Dugout Discussion

Rodriguez returns to Everton line-up as Greenwood misses out for Manchester United

James Rodriguez (£7.9m) is back in the Everton starting line-up after missing the past two gameweeks through injury.

The Colombian has so far racked up 34 points in three home games, including one 18-point haul against Brighton in Gameweek 4.

Rodriguez is set to operate on the right of a front three for the Toffees, with Bernard (£5.8m) playing from the left in the absence of the suspended Richarlison (£7.8m).

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m), fresh from an overnight price rise, leads the line for Everton.

Seamus Coleman (£4.9m) is another injury returnee at right-back, while Lucas Digne (£6.1m) resumes his place on the other side of defence following a reduced one-game ban.

The fit-again Mason Holgate (£4.8m) is preferred at centre-back over Yerry Mina (£5.5m). Jordan Pickford (£5.0m) returns between the sticks for the Toffees, having been dropped in favour of Robin Olsen (£4.5m) in Gameweek 7.

Ancelotti made it clear in is pre-match press conference yesterday that Pickford would come back into the Everton XI.

On the pitch he [Pickford] has to be focused on what he’s doing. He has to know where his quality is. He knows what to do tomorrow. His mentality is good, I don’t want to change it.

I think sometimes he made mistakes because he thought too much. He has to use his instinct more, which is really good. – Carlo Ancelotti

Anthony Martial (£8.7m), back from a three-game suspension, begins up front for Manchester United.

Mason Greenwood (£7.2m) is absent from the Red Devils’ matchday squad so Juan Mata (£5.9m) earns a start in attacking midfield.

The Spaniard could play from the right or centrally, potentially interchanging with Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m), while Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) looks set to face off against Coleman from his usual left-side attacking berth.

Alex Telles (£5.5m) is back in training but does not make the 18, while Paul Pogba (£7.8m) is on the United bench.

Victor Lindelof (£4.9m) has recovered from a back injury to take up his spot in central defence beside Harry Maguire (£5.4m).

Victor is feeling okay in his back, hopefully he can last the game because he has had trouble with it. The energy of Scott McTominay and Fred after not playing this midweek [in the Champions League] will help us. – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

On Richarlison, who will return for the Toffees’ sweet clash away to Fulham in GW9, Ancelotti said last night:

it is impossible to replace Richarlison. There is no player in the world like Richarlison. So we have to replace him with another player with different quality.

We have to change a little bit our style of play without Richarlison, but the defeat [against Newcastle] was not because Richarlison was not there. It was because we did not play well. Simple.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, was full of praise for the Everton manager when quizzed by BT Sport on his decision to join the Merseyside outfit.

I needed to play under a coach who knows me; how I behave on and off the pitch. Carlo was exactly what I needed for coming to this club.

It was because of both reasons [Carlo and the club] that I moved here. They trusted me when no one else did. I;ll be forever grateful to the club and to Carlo. – James Rodriguez

Everton XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Digne, Keane, Holgate, Coleman; Sigurdsson, Allan, Doucouré; Bernard, Calvert-Lewin, Rodriguez.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, B Fernandes, Mata; Martial.

1,173 Comments Post a Comment
  1. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Playing Rodriguez over KWP fail...

  2. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    United have some squad in fairness to them. Shame about the manager.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think ManUs squad depth is akin to a childrens paddling pool

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Time for Potchi?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Seems like it, he was a pundit for sky the other day as well. When this happens I think it means he is putting himself in the shop window imo. Like Jose before the Spurs job, started doing loads of punditry.
        Poch will no doubt be asked to voice his opinions on what he thinks ManU need etc.
        Poch is the cl;ear candidate for that job, and I have no doubt he will take ManU pretty much back to where they want to be, competing for titles. Whether he can actually wina title is debatable, but he will get them close enough.

        Ole will last the season though imo, they wont ditch him half way through unless shocking league position

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Agree. I think Potch is the man for the future. Not against Ole per say, but they do lack consistency. If Potch is approached by another club though, it could force Manu's hand to ditch Ole early. Ole v Potch, I'd have to say I'd go Potch, looking at what he was able to achieve at Spurs with a limited budget.

          There is an issue at ManU where a lot of expensive talent buys have turned to driftwood. This needs to be addressed in line with new blood & promotion of academy players

  3. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hamez came off too soon.....

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That's what she said.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pogba only 2 goals from last 48 games.......

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Given away more penalties, 5 total I think

      • Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That's a devastating stat - wow!

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Forgot Martial was even on.

      Only decent run Martial made was when everyone was kneeling...

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Benched vs WBA

      2. Van der Vaart 11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He has been very poor doesn't look fit and attitude is always an issue!!

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What will Wilf do vs Leeds? I think he can get something given how Leeds play
      Probably be pretty boring though, Palace parking the bus and only hitting on the counter, 1-0 Palace?

      1. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He'll do well against that high line.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          fingers crossed, that would be nice

    4. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pogba penalty incoming

    5. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Frustrating to watch Rodriguez today but surely you have to be patient with Fulham next...

      Still £7.9 for 8 pts in the last 4 gameweeks...

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I bought him after Liverpool (before injury news) #waste

        1. tafrère
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Still could return against Fulham and Leeds next. But yeah, frustrating.

    6. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno or Rashford? Is it a no-brainer to go Bruno?

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bruno much better player and FPL asset imo.

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bruno so long as he manages to not get sent off!

      3. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bruno

      4. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        i have Rashford but now thinking switching him to Bruno....

    7. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      BT trying hard to flog the £15 games

    8. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chances that DCL assist stands?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        100%

      2. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Can mods please delete these bs posts already.

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Just got online, don't get your knickers in a twist

        2. teneighty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Do mods actually delete posts here during gametime? Image moderating a football forum and not being able to focus on the games.

      3. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Strange they put it on when their official Twitter was still deciding.

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yep

    9. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      James out, Fernandes in?

    10. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'll take a Keane equaliser please.

    11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno should be off here

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He could have got 4 yellows in this game...

    12. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tosun YC

    13. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno should be on 4, 2 penalties

    14. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      not a foul in the box but that I wobi foul wtf?

    15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ref didn’t even check it wtf

    16. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mid of foden and Zaha stinking out my team so badly

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not played yet?

    17. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How is Bruno still on?

    18. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Really disappointing amount of diving and play acting in this match from both sides. Sad the way the game is going.

      1. Lukakuna
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You can't really blame the players, they're only trying to win the games. Introducing VAR is asking for this imo

    19. OrmskirkFC
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Does Tosun use the hair in a can spray?

    20. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son to Bruno(c)?

    21. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm having one of those seasons. Only got myself to blame. Brought in batshuayi as my ings replacement. Not great

    22. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Commentators only want decency when bruno is in danger

    23. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno 2 goals.

      But also 2 RCs and 2 pens.

      All action.

    24. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wilson > Antonio a no brainier, right?

    25. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How is Bruno still on the pitch? Second red card offence in the last 10mins.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        nonsense

    26. BoleynWin
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandes treading a very fine line, how he’s not seen a second yellow in this second half is surprising.

    27. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DCL has had zero service today?

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Everton / DCL not the same team without Richarlison

      2. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nope, DIgne should have squared in the first half for a tap in though.

      3. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He never gets service unless Richarlison plays.