Paul Merson states his prediction for Man United v Everton

Everton headed to Italy with the ambition of bringing three points home from their Europa League tie with Atalanta, however, they instead conceded three goals and put in one of their worst performances in recent memory.

It’s back to league matters for both Manchester United and Everton on Sunday when they collide at Old Trafford.

Thursday night however sees Everton return to European football after a 2 season absense and it’s a welcome break from the hectic Premier League start we’ve had. That’s what the fans want, it’s what we all want.

Everton’s lack of pace and urgency is close to embarrassing.

‘I will have a meeting with most of the players – with the key players, ‘ said Koeman, whose side travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for a reunion with Romelu Lukaku.

Before the match, Ronald Koeman said he was taking the Europa League “very seriously”. “If not, then the problem is even bigger”.

Everton: Stekelenburg 7, Baines 5, Holgate 6, Jagielka 6, Keane 5, Scheiderlin 6 (Ramirez 66, 6), Besic 5, Vlasic 5, Rooney 7 (Klaassen 66, 6), Sigurdsson 6, Calvert-Lewin 5 (Mirallas 76, 6).

Rooney has netted on two occasions since returning to his roots at Everton and could do with providing some inspiration for Ronald Koeman’s side this weekend as they are now on a five-game winless run in all competitions.

After giving the ball away cheaply in the middle of the park no Everton player looked desperate to snuff out the danger and it was all too easy for Cristante to meander into the box and heap misery on Koeman further. Koeman tried to do so against Atalanta, and it didn’t work out.

He said: “I think he has come in the right moment, at a good age, with a good number of years of experience with different clubs in the Premier League”.

Regardless, Giggs believes the United fans will give Rooney the reception his legendary service deserves.

“A lot went wrong, except maybe after a hard start, maybe 10 minutes that we had a little bit more of the ball and looked a bit more comfortable”, Koeman reflected. That’s not his case. He is a real legend of this club. “I hope [that happens] before the match and after the match, not during the match”.

Marcus Rashford has also been in good form this season and has scored in his last three games for club and country, with SportPesa offering him at 17/4 (5.25) to score first or 5/4 (2.25) to net at anytime.