Everton have named Brennan Johnson in their starting lineup for the Premier League Matchday 3 fixture against Manchester United at Goodison Park. Manager Michael Carrick has kept the same Manchester United XI that thrashed Ipswich Town last time out, according to a team news report from Yahoo Sports on Saturday.
The Toffees head into the match sitting 10th in the Premier League table with 4 points from their opening two games, following a win and a draw. Their recent form reads DW, with 3 goals scored and just 1 conceded for a positive goal difference of +2. They currently trail league leaders Manchester City by 5 points.
Who is in the Everton lineup?
Brennan Johnson's inclusion is the notable change for the home side. The winger gets the nod as Everton look to build on their solid start to the 2026-27 campaign. The team previously secured a victory over Crystal Palace and followed it with a draw against Bournemouth. Johnson's pace and direct running will be a key weapon against a United defence that conceded in a loss to Hull City earlier this season.
Carrick's decision to stick with a winning formula means his Manchester United side is unchanged from the one that delivered a comprehensive victory against Ipswich. This suggests a vote of confidence in the players who performed so well last time out, despite the earlier setback against Hull. The full team sheets for both clubs are available on our squad page.
What is Everton's current league position?
Everton's early season form has them positioned comfortably in mid-table. With 4 points from a possible 6, they have made a steady start. Their defensive record is particularly strong, having let in only one goal so far. This solidity at the back will be tested by a Manchester United attack that found its scoring touch against Ipswich. Fans can track the evolving standings as the season progresses.
The club's next challenge after this match is an away trip to face Tottenham Hotspur on September 12th. Spurs currently find themselves in 18th place, making that a potentially significant fixture in the early table. The full schedule of upcoming games is listed on our fixtures page.
Which players are unavailable for selection?
One player who will not feature for Everton is Christian Nørgaard. The midfielder is currently sidelined and is listed on the club's injuries report. His absence in the engine room is a blow for Carrick's options, though the unchanged United lineup suggests their own injury concerns are minimal for this particular clash.
The match represents an early opportunity for Everton to gauge their progress against one of the division's traditional powers. A positive result would continue their unbeaten start and provide a platform ahead of the trip to North London next weekend. Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
