Steven Naismith nets a hat-trick as Everton hammer AEK Athens in Tony Hibbert’s testimonial. David De Gea defies Barcelona as United record their fourth clean sheet in five pre-season matches, James McClean scores in Sunderland’s draw at Derby, while Tony Pulis reveals he expects to be without Robert Huth for at least a couple of weeks after the defender contracted viral meningitis:

Everton 4 AEK Athens 1
Toffees new boy Steven Naismith leapt to the attention of Fantasy managers after registering a 30-minute hat-trick as David Moyes’ men won for the first time in four matches last night. While Tony Hibbert hogged the headlines after ending his barren streak with a stunning 25-yard effort in his own testimonial, Naismith’s deadly eye for goal suggested he could well be set to offer us a strong mid-price alternative across the Fantasy games. Playing in “the hole” behind former Glasgow Rangers team mate Nikica Jelavic, Naismith was only handed 45 minutes by Moyes before departing at half-time but his first game at Goodison suggested he looks hugely promising ahead of the new campaign. Steven Pienaar’s creativity was supreme throughout; the South African provided two assists, while his corner kick eventually led to Naismith’s third – clearly, the former Spurs man is wasting little time in returning to the form he displayed on loan at Goodison in the second half of last season.

Everton Starting XI: Howard (Mucha); Hibbert, Heitinga (Duffy), Distin, Baines (Barkley); Osman (Rodwell), Gibson (Neville), Fellaini (Gueye), Pienaar (Anichebe); Naismith (Coleman); Jelavic (Vellios)

Barcelona 0 Man United 0 (Barca won 2-0 on penalties)
David De Gea got the nod between the posts for United’s game with Barcelona last night and was superb throughout the 90 minutes for the Old Trafford outfit. Despite Sir Alex Ferguson indicating that he faces a real selection dilemma when picking his first-choice keeper for the upcoming campaign, De Gea surely boosted his chances of making the opener against Everton on Monday August 20 with a string of saves defying the La Liga side time after time. Once again, Antonio Valencia began at right-back due to a lack of defensive options, affording Nani and Ashley Young the chance to start on the flanks, while Sir Alex Ferguson rolled out a 4-4-2 with Wayne Rooney partnered by Danny Welbeck. Rooney missed a spot-kick and was replaced by Shinji Kagawa after the break – the latter has now come on as a sub in the previous couple of matches but failed to provide the necessary spark; United are without a goal in their last two and are struggling offensively right now, with just three times in five games this pre-season. Defensively, though, there is plenty cause for optimism; this was their third back-to-back clean sheet, with the club conceding just once so far over the summer period.

Post-match, the United boss commented on the speculation surrounding the club’s attempts to sign Robin Van Persie after their interest in Lucas Moura ended when the Brazilian opted for Paris St Germain instead. Despite some media outlets claiming that Van Persie deal could go through yesterday, the transfer failed to materialise but Ferguson admitted he was still optimistic of clinching the Dutchman’s signature:

We’ve made a bid. They (Arsenal) have been trying to negotiate with other clubs. We have to persevere. Hopefully it comes our way. I don’t know what Arsenal’s thoughts are because they’re not giving anything away.

Man United Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Vidic (Carrick 46), Ferdinand (Wootton 83), Evra; Nani, Scholes, Anderson (Powell 79),Young; Welbeck (Berbatov 67), Rooney (Kagawa 46)

Derby 1 Sunderland 1
Ahmed Elmohamady was handed a rare starting role for Sunderland last night as Martin O’Neill took the chance to tinker with his backline for the trip to Pride Park. John O’Shea moved into the heart of defence, while Carlos Cuellar began the game at left-back for the Wearsiders with Craig Gardner once again playing in the hole behind a lone striker. Elmohamady’s versatility allowed him to be shifted to right midfield after the break, with David Meyler moving to right-back as O’Neill chose to utilise Seb Larsson in a more central position. James McClean looked a handful for much of the evening – he and Cuellar both struck the woodwork before the former grabbed his side’s first goal in three matches from a Kieran Richardson assist.

Sunderland Starting XI: Mignolet; Elmohamady, Adams (Cattermole 46), O’Shea, Cuellar; Larsson, Meyler (Noble 75), Colback, McClean; Gardner (Richardson 46); Campbell

In Other News…
Tony Pulis has revealed he expects to be without the services of Robert Huth for the start of the season after it was confirmed the defender has contracted viral meningitis. The German was admitted to hospital on Monday and, after undergoing test, is set to be sidelined for a fortnight at the earliest, according to his manager:

He is progressing well in his recovery. Although it is too early to predict the length of his absence, it is likely to be at least two weeks before he is available to return to action.

Pulis looks set to have US international Geoff Cameron to call upon for the opening day trip to Reading, however. The versatile defender has obtained a work permit after the Potters boss presented the case to an appeal panel and could well be set to slot in alongside Ryan Shawcross in the heart of defence due to Huth’s unfortunate absence.