Everton face a significant injury headache ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United this weekend, with as many as eight players potentially unavailable. The Toffees, who are currently eighth in the table with four points from two games, host the 11th-placed Red Devils at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, September 6th.
David Moyes, the Everton manager, confirmed that summer acquisition Christian Nørgaard is certain to miss the fixture. The Dane has yet to feature competitively for the club since his arrival. "Christian is still not making great progress at the moment," Moyes told the Daily Mirror. "It's not something where we're probably going to get him back quickly, so we'll just need to see how that develops." Nørgaard is listed on the club's injuries page as currently sidelined.
Who else is missing for Everton?
The absence of Nørgaard is a blow for an Everton side that has started the season unbeaten. They secured a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace and followed it with a 1-1 away draw at Bournemouth, scoring three goals and conceding just one. Moyes, the former Manchester United boss, will need to find solutions from within his squad to maintain that form. The exact nature and identities of the other potential Everton absentees were not detailed in the report, but the scale of the issue presents a major challenge for team selection.
What is the injury situation for Manchester United?
Manchester United arrive with their own selection problems, headlined by a significant issue for their record signing. Carlos Baleba, a £70m summer arrival, is set to miss out due to an ankle problem sustained in pre-season. United's interim manager Michael Carrick provided an update, stating Baleba has "a little ankle issue" and could be sidelined for two to three weeks.
The list doesn't end there. Manuel Ugarte is a lengthy absentee with a knee injury, while defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton are also not anticipated to return soon. Attacker Amad Diallo is a doubt after picking up a muscle injury in training. There is some positive news for United, as Luke Shaw, who was forced off against Ipswich Town, is expected to be fit. Mason Mount has also returned to training. "Mase is back around the group, which was great," Carrick said. "Trained this week, so that's a big positive for us."
How does this affect the Premier League context?
This early-season match carries weight for both clubs' ambitions. Everton, sitting on four points, are just two points behind early leaders Manchester City. A positive result against a traditional rival would solidify their promising start. Fans can track the evolving standings as the season progresses. For Manchester United, currently in the bottom half, securing points on the road is important to build momentum.
The fixture is part of a packed schedule of live football available to viewers. Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle offers at least 215 live Premier League matches this season, alongside over 1,500 games from the EFL and other sports like F1 and golf. An introductory offer saves subscribers £384 compared to the standard price, with every package including 100 regular channels and free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.
What happens next for Everton?
All focus for Moyes and his squad is on preparing for the visit of Manchester United despite the mounting injury concerns. The manager will be assessing his options closely in the final training sessions before Saturday's match. Following this game, Everton's fixtures continue with the relentless pace of the Premier League season. The team's ability to navigate this early injury crisis could be a defining factor in their campaign. Everton host Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026.
