David Moyes has reportedly warned that Everton must be at their absolute best when they face Manchester United on Sunday, with the experienced manager fully aware of the attacking threat Michael Carrick’s side can bring to the contest.
The Everton boss is understood to have acknowledged the danger posed by United and the possibility that his team could be punished heavily if they lose concentration, particularly against a side that has shown its ability to score goals in devastating bursts. The meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium is already generating huge attention, and Moyes knows that despite Everton’s encouraging start to the campaign, Manchester United possess enough individual quality to turn the game completely in their favour if Everton fail to execute their plans.
Everton have entered the fixture with confidence after a positive opening to the season, but the challenge against United represents a completely different test. Moyes’ team began the league campaign with a victory over Crystal Palace before earning a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth, leaving them unbeaten from their opening two league matches. United, meanwhile, have had a more unpredictable beginning, combining an impressive 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town with a disappointing defeat against Hull City. Those contrasting results mean both teams have plenty to prove, but the pressure surrounding Sunday’s encounter is particularly significant because of the history between Moyes and Manchester United.
Moyes knows Manchester United better than most opposition managers. His time at Old Trafford was brief and difficult, but his connection with the club remains one of the most talked-about chapters of his managerial career. He succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 after building a strong reputation during his long spell at Everton, and although his Manchester United tenure did not go according to plan, he understands the expectations, pressure and quality associated with the club. Now back in charge of Everton, Moyes will be desperate to prevent his former club from producing a performance that could expose the weaknesses within his current squad.
The concern for Everton is that Manchester United appear capable of producing devastating attacking spells when their forwards find space. Bruno Fernandes remains one of the most influential players in the fixture, having enjoyed an excellent record against Everton over the years. The Portuguese midfielder has been directly involved in 11 Premier League goals in 13 appearances against the Toffees, according to the latest match preview, making him one of the players Moyes will have to find a way to contain.
United also possess considerable pace and movement in the attacking areas, with Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha expected to form part of the attacking threat. If Everton allow those players to receive the ball between the lines or attack open spaces, the game could become extremely uncomfortable for Moyes’ team. That is why the Everton manager is expected to demand discipline from the first whistle and insist that his players remain compact throughout the match.
Everton’s defensive organisation will therefore be one of the most important factors in deciding the outcome. James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite are likely to have major responsibilities against United’s attacking players, while Jordan Pickford could also be called upon repeatedly. Everton have demonstrated defensive resilience during the early stages of the season, conceding only one league goal across their first two matches, but United represent arguably their biggest attacking examination so far.
At the other end of the pitch, Everton will have to find ways of making Manchester United uncomfortable. Thierno Barry has emerged as an important attacking figure and has already scored four goals across all competitions this season, including a hat-trick against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup. His physical presence and movement could provide Everton with an avenue to attack United’s defence, particularly if Moyes can get his midfielders close enough to support him.
Jack Grealish is another player who could attract significant attention. The England international returned to Everton on loan from Manchester City and has quickly become one of the most recognisable figures within Moyes’ squad. His creativity and ability to carry the ball could be extremely important against Manchester United, especially if Everton are forced to defend for long periods before attempting to break quickly.
However, the situation surrounding Everton’s squad has become increasingly concerning following a chaotic transfer window. The club lost important attacking options, including Iliman Ndiaye and Beto, without successfully completing the proposed signing of Folarin Balogun. The failed Balogun deal left Everton with limited attacking depth, while attempts to bring in players such as Joshua Zirkzee and Tammy Abraham also failed. Reports have subsequently highlighted concerns about the size and balance of Moyes’ squad.
That situation makes Sunday’s match even more difficult for the Everton manager. Moyes cannot afford significant injuries or suspensions because his options from the bench are limited. The manager will need his starting players to maintain their concentration and energy throughout the contest, because Manchester United have the quality to exploit even a small defensive mistake.
There is also an interesting psychological dimension to the match. Everton have beaten Manchester United in recent meetings, including a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in November 2025, while United won the most recent encounter 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium in February 2026. The last five meetings have produced two wins for each club and one draw, demonstrating just how competitive this fixture has become.
For Moyes, however, the objective will not simply be to repeat previous results. He needs Everton to show that they can compete with one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs despite the uncertainty surrounding the squad. Everton supporters have already expressed frustration with the club’s handling of the transfer window, with the Fans’ Forum criticising the lack of planning and the failure to adequately replace important departures.
That pressure could make Sunday’s match particularly important for Moyes. A strong performance against Manchester United would provide a major boost to the manager, his players and the supporters. A heavy defeat, on the other hand, could intensify concerns about Everton’s lack of squad depth and the decisions made during the transfer window.
Manchester United will also have their own problems to solve. Carrick’s team has suffered several injuries, with Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo, Carlos Baleba, Tom Heaton and Manuel Ugarte all listed among the absentees in the latest preview. That means Everton will not be facing a completely healthy United squad.
Nevertheless, the attacking talent available to United means Moyes cannot afford to underestimate them. The 5-2 victory over Ipswich demonstrated the team’s ability to score freely when their attacking players are given opportunities. Even though their defensive record has been less convincing, their ability to create goals means Everton will have to be prepared for a high-intensity encounter.
The midfield battle could ultimately decide whether Everton survive United’s pressure or find themselves overwhelmed. Everton will need players such as James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to compete aggressively for possession, while United will look to Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo to control the tempo. If United establish control in the middle of the pitch, Everton could spend long periods defending deep.
Moyes’ tactical approach is therefore likely to be crucial. The Everton boss has traditionally built teams capable of competing through organisation, physicality and defensive discipline, and those qualities will be tested on Sunday. He may choose to keep his side compact and look for opportunities on the counterattack rather than committing too many players forward.
The biggest danger for Everton would be conceding an early goal. If United score within the opening stages, the match could become much more difficult for Moyes’ team because they would be forced to chase the game. That could create spaces for United’s fast attackers to exploit. Conversely, if Everton remain level for a long period, the pressure could gradually shift towards Carrick’s players, especially with the home crowd behind Moyes’ team.
There is also the possibility that Everton can surprise United. Their unbeaten start has shown that Moyes has created a team capable of competing, while the home advantage could play a major role. The Toffees will be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the atmosphere is expected to be intense as supporters demand a strong response after the frustration of the transfer window.
Moyes therefore faces a delicate balancing act. He must make his players believe they can beat Manchester United while simultaneously ensuring they respect the quality of their opponents. The message inside the Everton dressing room is unlikely to be one of fear, but rather one of complete concentration and discipline.
The headline surrounding Moyes’ warning that Manchester United could potentially “dismantle” Everton captures the enormous danger facing his team, even if that wording should not be treated as a verified direct quotation from the manager. United have enough quality to punish Everton severely if the Toffees make repeated mistakes, but Everton have already shown this season that they are capable of producing disciplined performances.
Sunday’s match could therefore become a major test of Everton’s character. Moyes knows exactly what Manchester United are capable of, and he will understand better than anyone that allowing his former club to gain momentum could be disastrous. Everton will need to stay compact, win the midfield battle, stop Fernandes from dictating the game and take their chances whenever they appear.
For Manchester United, the objective will be to build on their impressive victory over Ipswich and demonstrate greater consistency. For Everton, the mission is equally clear: prove that despite the problems surrounding the club, Moyes can still make his team extremely difficult to beat.
As the two sides prepare to meet, Moyes’ warning carries an important message to his players. Manchester United cannot be given space, time or confidence. If Everton switch off, United have the attacking quality to punish them. But if Moyes’ men execute their tactical plan, defend with discipline and use the energy of the home crowd, they could turn Sunday’s clash into another difficult afternoon for Carrick’s side.