Everton vs Manchester United prediction 23.02.2026 | Premier League

When David Moyes returned in January 2025, Everton were hovering in 16th place, only a point above the relegation line after 19 matches.

The atmosphere felt anxious. Since then, the Toffees have rebuilt patiently. Now inside the top half, Everton have lost just once in the last seven games. That is not flashy progress, but it is steady.

A win at Villa Park during that stretch stood out. It showed that Moyes’ side can manage difficult away environments, not just grind at home. There is more structure now.

Defensively, however, perfection remains elusive, with only one clean sheet in the last eight matches. Jake O’Brien is suspended following his red card against Bournemouth, which slightly unsettles the back line.

Jack Grealish continues recovery from foot surgery. Otherwise, the squad looks balanced, and Moyes has genuine selection decisions to make rather than forced compromises.

The Red Devils are still searching for rhythm. After Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, Michael Carrick stepped in and immediately lifted the mood.

Four straight wins followed, including impressive results against Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham. Those performances carried authority and intensity, the sort supporters had been craving.

Yet the away form complicates the narrative. United have managed just one win in the last five away fixtures across all competitions. The late equalizer at West Ham, finished by substitute Sesko in stoppage time, masked a performance that was not entirely convincing.

There is attacking quality, clearly. However, balance sometimes slips when matches stretch. Carrick faces a delicate task here. He must maintain the attacking ambition shown in those early victories while tightening a side that has not always looked secure on the road.