Man United reality check puts Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku on notice before Everton

MARTIAL, LUKAKU HAVE POINTS TO PROVE

Solskjaer was unequivocal about the challenge ahead to build a team that could compete with Barcelona rather than be humbled by them, and in the aftermath of the midweek quarter-final elimination he said several players needed a reality check about their performances for United.

He was asked specifically about Anthony Martial, and confirmed he had spoken to the Frenchman. Though the mercurial winger has shown signs of improvement this season, he’s also blown hot and cold, and not looked at his best recently.

The 23-year-old definitely has a point to prove.

And what about Romelu Lukaku? He left Everton in 2017 to take the next step in his career and compete for trophies.

Two years later, he faces his former club having won nothing. There’s talk of a summer exit.

But on current form, would clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Paris Saint-Germain – reported destinations for the Belgian – really want him?

THE UNITED WAY AKA WHERE IS MASON GREENWOOD?

While it didn’t come up in his pre-match press conference, Solskjaer has quickly become famous for his utterances on “the United way” or “United DNA” or “this is Manchester United”.

And yet, a central tenet of United’s identity is the promotion of youth, and while Solskjaer started promisingly on that front in recent weeks he seems to have forgotten his philosophy. With Martial, Lukaku, Jesse Lingard, and Marcus Rashford all struggling for goals, Mason Greenwood would have been forgiven for thinking he deserved more opportunities.

He has come on three times when United were chasing a late goal, and the first two were marquee games – PSG and Arsenal away. But last weekend’s appearance against West Ham was his first in a month, and he wasn’t part of the traveling squad for Barcelona.

The 17-year-old is in terrific form for the reserves. Will he get more than a cameo on Sunday?

WHICH EVERTON WILL TURN UP?

It’s hard to know what to make of Everton this season.

At home, they’ve beaten Chelsea and Arsenal, drawn with Liverpool, and played creditably in a loss against champions Man City – a game they probably didn’t mind losing anyway, as the result hurt Merseyside rival Liverpool’s title chances. They’ve also lost 6-2 to Tottenham.

In their last five matches they’ve had those home wins over Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as West Ham, direct rivals for seventh place, away, but also lost away to Newcastle – in a game they led 2-0 – and already-relegated Fulham.

So which Everton are turning up on Sunday? They acquitted themselves well in October’s 2-1 loss to United, and of course, Solskjaer’s side themselves are no guarantee of high-quality performance, especially with that defence against quality attackers like Richarlison and Bernard.

Can the Toffees claim another top-six scalp, or will the Goodison Park faithful go home disappointed?