Everton against Manchester United

Now it's a United corner.

<b>Everton 3-3 United.</b> Baines' cross again - Cahill knocks it down to Arteta whose fires it home unmarked from 12 yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Arteta has done it!

<b>Everton 2-3 United. </b>Great delivery from Baines after some patient build up and Cahill leaps highest to head home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Cahill scores, well this is interesting.

Three minutes of added time to play.

The clock ticking down now and I reckon this is beyond Everton.

Giggs escapes down the right but it's a poor cross in towards Berbatov. Baines is having a bit of a nightmare in the second half.

Everton still pushing and the football has been good - the final product has been seriously lacking though.

Yakubu attempts to get a shot away but Evans and Vidic crowd him off the ball.

Nani this time the man to find the increasing amount of space down the left side of Everton's defence. Another poor decision to shoot from a difficult angle.

They had a four on three break and Berbatov, in the clear down the right, decided to shoot - a touch selfishly.

United streaming forward...

Cahill heads it towards goal but Distin couldn't get the necessary touch to divert it in.

Jagielka strikes an optimistic effort and it hits Evans and heads out for a corner.

Scholes with a reckless challenge on Yakubu and somehow he's managed to avoid a yellow card.

O'Shea drops into left-back and Park takes the Irishman's place in midfield.

<i>Stats: If Cahill were to manage a brace of late goals he will register a century of league strikes in English football. </i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Park on for Evra.

And Arteta the latest Everton player to misfire, dragging a left-foot shot wide.

The ball breaks to Distin but Neville heads away.

Teasing cross by Yakubu after a good through ball from Arteta and Vidic clears it out for a corner.

Scholes fouls Pienaar and it's an Everton free-kick about 35 yards out.

Yakubu showing an impressive physical presence to create that opportunity.

But he can't get it out from under his feet and Van der Sar gets down to save.

Osman with a chance to give Everton hope...

Nani finds Scholes in space in the box but the veteran scoops his shot over the crossbar.

Good skills from Nani down the left, using some juggling to get past Baines and Pienaar. But the final pass is poor.

Cahill heads back across goal from the left but it drifts wide.

But there is still 18 mintues to go and the home side have continued to look threatening. Fellaini the latest to fire over having engineered some space in the box.

It's a role reversal from last season, when Everton came from 1-0 down to win 3-1. United have been the comeback kids this time.

Sections of the crowd were cheering but it's hit the side of the goal. A foot to the left and it would have been in with Van der Sar stranded.

And Coleman immediately wins a free-kick on the left of the area after drawing a foul from Evra. looks like it will be Baines to strike this one.

Coleman offers a little more attacking impetus than Hibbert as Moyes tries to push the Toffees back into the match.

Yakubu has scored for three different sides against United in the Premier League.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Coleman on for Hibbert

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yakubu on for Heitinga.

Everton still pressing but Cahill eventually ruled offside.

Cleared away by O'Shea.

Everton looking to respond immediately and they have a corner now.

<b>Everton 1-3 United.</b> A superb diagonal ball from Scholes, Berbatov takes one touch on the right to knock it inside Distin before coolly firing home with the outside of his right foot just inside the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Berbatov finishes with aplomb from Scholes' pass.

It was a terrible mistake from Distin that led to that chance. He slid in aimlessly when the ball went to Berbatov and completely over-committed.

Berbatov was in acres on the right - with just Jagielka to beat he laid it off to Nani who saw his shot saved impressively again by Howard. If Giggs had been more aware he could have been on hand to score the rbound.

Good catch from Van der Sar and the crosses haven't really tested the United defence in the second half.

Evans fouls Osman and Areta will take the right-wing free-kick.

Neville penalised for bringing down Pienaar and the midfielder comes forward with the ball and forces a save out of Van der Sar with a curling shot from 25 yards.

The ball breaks to Berbatov but he's eased off the ball comfortably by Jagielka.

United building patiently from the back, with some sharp exchanges.

<i>Stats: Everton have won eight and lost two of their last 10 home North West derbies at Goodison Park.</i>

Hibbert's cross is claimed by Van der Sar.

It's all Everton at the moment, Cahill with the cross and it drops to Hibbert at the back post. Probably not the player Toffees fans would like to be shooting from a Van Basten-esque angle. His effort is well over.

Pienaar with a stunning piece of skill, he received the ball and back-heeled it through O'Shea''s legs to get away from him before finding Osman with a pinpoint through ball. Evra was abck to get a crucial tackle in though.

Vidic unhappy with a challenge from Cahill and there's some handbags between the two of them now. There was a mid-air clash and the Serbian came off worst - that's probably what he's annoyed about.

Giggs threads it through to Berbatov whose touch is a bit loose. He returns the ball back to Giggs, whose touch is also a bit loose and the move breaks down. It's all a bit loose!

United just knocking it around the backline now, with Everton still continuing to pressure the players in possession.

Worked nicely between Arteta and Baines but as the left-back looks to pull it back to Pienaar his pass is intercepted.

Nani brings down Pienaar and Everton now have a free-kick about 40 yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Heitinga tackles Neville in a style resembling an American footballer and is promptly booked for his efforts.

<i>Stats: Everton's goal was the first United have conceded in the first half of a game this season. </i>

Vidic climbs to meet it and it's hoofed clear by Scholes.

Corner for Everton now, Areta to take.

Two great assists from Nani and last time United won at Goodsion, it was Vidic who got the winner. Will it be the same story again?

<b>Everton 1-2 United.</b> Nani's first cross was headed away and then his second bite at the cherry fins Vidic in acres. united's skipper made no mistake.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vidic has headed United into the lead.

Berbatov with another go as space opens up in front of the Toffees' area. His shot is deflected out for a corner.

Bebratov immediately drives into the Everton penalty area but Hibbert stands him up well.

And we're off for the second half...

For UK users, ESPN is free-to-air this weekend. Between today and the early hours of Monday morning the channel is unscrambled, so you can watch a variety of sports, including live coverage of matches from the Bundesliga, Scottish Premier League and Serie A. It can be found on Sky channels 417 and 442 (HD) and Virgin media 529 and 530. <A HREF=http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/espn-news-updates/espn-news/take-your-seats-for-a-free-weekend-on-espn target-new>Click here for more information</A>.

HALF-TIME: Everton 1-1 United. After Everton dominated the first ten minutes, United came back into the game and were looking the better side when the Pienaar gave the Toffees the lead following a swift counter-attack. But just four minutes later, Fletcher equalised and it's a game on! Grab yourself a cup of tea and we will be back in 15 minutes.

There goes the half-time whistle. What a half.

Berbatov fires wide. An excellent attempt on the volley from Giggs' left-wing ball went just wide of the left post.

The free-kick is cleared away after Jagielka spoons an attempt at goal. Two minutes of added time at the end of the half.

<b>Everton 1-1 United.</b> Nani with a delicious cross from the right-wing and Fletcher with a fantastic run from midfield to just ghost in in front of Jagielka and guide it past Howard.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fletcher scores for United.

Berbatov flagged offside and having looked extremely hungry for the past 20 minutes, the look on his face more closely resembles bemusement now.

Just 28 seconds elapsed between United's corner and the Toffees' goal.

United try to respond immediately but Everton are looking to tighten things up.

Just a sensationally quick counter by Everton and Pienaar grabs a much-deserved goal.

<b>Everton 1-0 United.</b> An incredible break from Everton, Arteta sprints away from Neville clean through but sees his shot saved first-time by Van der Sar. But it falls to Osman who passes it to Pienaar who slid it under the Dutch goalkeeper from eight yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Pienaar has scored or Everton!

Giggs hits a right-foot shot from 12 yards out and Howard's strong wrist diverts it away for a corner.

<b>Another brilliant save from Howard!</b>

Arteta wastes the free-kick and subsequently brings down Giggs as he attempts to run clear.

Fellaini fouled by Vidic and wolf whistles echo around as Hibbert changes his shorts on the sidelines.

It's all United at the moment but Nani wastes a second crossing opportunity in as many minutes.

United keeping the pressure on but Everton clear their lines from the resulting corner.

Nani laid it off to Scholes, whose shot was deflected and having already dived, Howard forced it over with his flailing leg. It looked certain to be heading in. Great stop.

<b>An incredible save from Howard - save of the season. </b>

Nani eyeing this one up.

Hibbert slides in late on Giggs outside the area and United have a free-kick about 20 yards out on the left of the Everton area.

United win a corner after Berbatov attempts to tiptoe through the Everton defence single-handedly.

We're hearing Nani needed a couple of stitches after that accidental clash with Pienaar.

<i>Stats: Everton have not lost a league match at home since November, when Liverpool won 2-0. </i>

Solid tackle by Hibbert and Everton come away with the ball.

Bertbatov and Scholes link well through the middle and the ball is moved wide lef to Evra.

Nani back on the pitch now after receiving treatment.

Everton continue to attack and the ball breaks to Baines in the box, but the left-back miscues from about 10 yards out.

Fantastic tackle by Vidic. Heitinga found Baines with a searching long ball and he played it across to Pienaar, who was just about to pull the trigger when the Serbian put his foot in.

Fellaini the latest Toffees player to shoot from distance and the result is the same as his team-mates. Over.

Cahill tries a speculative effort from 20 yards out but it almost sailed out of the stadium it was so high.

A stunning diagonal long pass from Scholes finds Berbatov on the left but he can't engineer an opening and there is little support.

Fellaini crosses in towards Cahill (shouldn't he be in the box himself?!) but Giggs heads away.

For once it seems that Nani might have a case. He is bleeding after a clash with Pienaar, but that doesn't stop the boos ringing out around Goodison as he walks off the pitch for treatment.

For once it seems that Nani might have a case. He is bleeding after a clash with Pienaar, but that doesn't stop the boos ringing out around Goodison as he walks off the pitch for treatment.

Nani is down on the floor but Everton playing on - they don't seem bothered in the slightest.

Scholes penalised for fouling Arteta and it's an Everton free-kick in midfield.

<i>Stats: United have had 55% possession to Everton's 45% in the past 10 minutes. </i>

Distin and Jagielka in the box but Berbatov is there to clear it out.

Pienaar again dropping deep to influence proceedings and Everton have a free-kick on the right of United's penalty area after Giggs fouls Osman.

David Moyes shouting instruction from the sidelines and he must be pleased with what he has seen so far.

Berbatov makes some space out right. he crosses it towards Giggs who lays it off to Nani. The ball breaks to Fletcher but United can't quite manufacture a lcear opening.

<i>Stats: This is the 184th meeting between these sides. Manchester United lead by 79 wins to 64, with 40 draws. </i>

Everton advancing with Pienaar again - and he's got Neville marking him at left-back. The South African playmaker is showing great enthusiasm and he's running his veteran marker a little ragged.

Some good patient build-up and unsurprisingly that brought United's first effort on goal.

<b>John O'Shea volleys one against the post from 25 yards out - sensational effort.</b>

Nani crossed one in towards Berbatov and United picking up the tempo.

United have finally just strung five passes together across the backline, Everton pressing hard but the red shirts are keeping possession.

Neville looks long for Nani but he's offside.

Cross from Hibbert as blue shirts swarm forward again, Van der Sar is in bravely to punch away ahead of Osman.

I haven't seen United dominated this since...well, since they last played at Everton in February really!

The corner breaks to Pienaar but his shot is deflected back out to Osman, who fires high over the bar.

Fletcher gives the ball away and Pienaar can advance. He passes it centrally out to Arteta who strikes one and Evans blocks it out for ANOTHER corner.

Arteta is dispossesed and Nani comes forward with the ball down the right. He gets a cross in but it only finds a blue shirt and Everton escape with the ball.

It's been all Everton and United have been completely unable to retain possession thus far.

Arteta swings it in and Evans clears.

Nani chases back and tackles Arteta well, another Everton corner though.

<b>It clips the crossbar - great effort from the Spaniard</b>

Neville escapes a booking but Arteta stands over the free-kick now.

Neville cynically takes down Pienaar 25 yards out - he's looked dangerous so far.

Evans collides with Cahill in the air but both players dust themselves off.

A frenetic opening, it has been a great first few minutes played at a high pace.

Pienaar pokes one goalwards after escaping the clutches of Neville, but it slides wide.

The Dutch keeper almost smashed his clearance into Evans' back, that could have been embarasssing.

Arteta takes the corner and it's handled easily by Van der Sar.

Pienaar breaks through and with some smart footwork - combines with Baines in the box before seeing his shot deflected out for a corner.

Everton kick things off and the ball is immediately lumped up towards Tim Cahill, though Evans copes with him. I can see that being used as a regular tactic throughout this game.

And we're off...

The players are out on the pitch and kick-off is less than five minutes away. It's a noisy old atmosphere on Merseyside but can the Toffees avoid slipping to a defeat that would mean their worst start to a season in 16 years.

United have beaten Everton more times than any team has beaten any other in Premier League history (27 times), though they haven't won at Goodison since 2007 - when Nemanja Vidic scored a late winner.

So the Rooney absence is the main team news for United, but another interesting choice is John O'Shea playing in central midfield (his 250th game for the club) with Scholes and Fletcher. Gary Neville is preferred at right-back - probably because of his experience of what can be a fairly hostile atmosphere at Goodison.

For Everton, Louis Saha is missing which means that they are not playing with any strikers - Tim Cahill plays up top with Marouane Feillaini. The rest of the team looks solid but the lack of firepower could be a problem. Plenty of aerial ability in those two though!

<b>Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Scholes, O'Shea, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Giggs. Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Smalling, Park, Rafael Da Silva, Macheda, Gibson.</b>

<b>Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Heitinga, Arteta, Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill. Subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Neville, Gueye, Yakubu, Coleman.</b>

Here are the team line-ups:

I'm a bit surprised by Sir Alex's decision, but we will see in about two hours whether the United manager was right or wrong. Ferguson did confirm, though, that Rooney will play in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The biggest news is that Wayne Rooney is nowhere to be seen. He has been dropped from the squad and will be watching the match from home. Sir Alex Ferguson said of Rooney: "He gets terrible abuse here and I'm not going to subject him to that."

Hello everyone and welcome to live coverage of Everton v Manchester United. The Toffees have a pretty poor record against the 11-time Premier League champions - but they did win 3-1 when the sides last met at Goodison Park in February. Can they repeat the feat today?

For UK users, ESPN is free-to-air this weekend. Between today and the early hours of Monday morning the channel is unscrambled, so you can watch a variety of sports, including live coverage of matches from the Bundesliga, Scottish Premier League and Serie A. It can be found on Sky channels 417 and 442 (HD) and Virgin media 529 and 530. <A HREF=http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/espn-news-updates/espn-news/take-your-seats-for-a-free-weekend-on-espn target-new>Click here for more information</A>.

Join us from 12.30 BST for live text commentary of Everton v Manchester United. The spotlight is on Wayne Rooney, but will the former Goodison Park hero be starting at his old stomping ground?

O'Shea drops into left-back and Park takes the Irishman's place in midfield.

<i>Stats: If Cahill were to manage a brace of late goals he will register a century of league strikes in English football. </i>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Park on for Evra.

And Arteta the latest Everton player to misfire, dragging a left-foot shot wide.

The ball breaks to Distin but Neville heads away.

Teasing cross by Yakubu after a good through ball from Arteta and Vidic clears it out for a corner.

Scholes fouls Pienaar and it's an Everton free-kick about 35 yards out.

Yakubu showing an impressive physical presence to create that opportunity.

But he can't get it out from under his feet and Van der Sar gets down to save.

Osman with a chance to give Everton hope...

Nani finds Scholes in space in the box but the veteran scoops his shot over the crossbar.

Good skills from Nani down the left, using some juggling to get past Baines and Pienaar. But the final pass is poor.

Cahill heads back across goal from the left but it drifts wide.

But there is still 18 mintues to go and the home side have continued to look threatening. Fellaini the latest to fire over having engineered some space in the box.

It's a role reversal from last season, when Everton came from 1-0 down to win 3-1. United have been the comeback kids this time.

Sections of the crowd were cheering but it's hit the side of the goal. A foot to the left and it would have been in with Van der Sar stranded.

And Coleman immediately wins a free-kick on the left of the area after drawing a foul from Evra. looks like it will be Baines to strike this one.

Coleman offers a little more attacking impetus than Hibbert as Moyes tries to push the Toffees back into the match.

Yakubu has scored for three different sides against United in the Premier League.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Coleman on for Hibbert

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yakubu on for Heitinga.

Everton still pressing but Cahill eventually ruled offside.

Cleared away by O'Shea.

Everton looking to respond immediately and they have a corner now.

<b>Everton 1-3 United.</b> A superb diagonal ball from Scholes, Berbatov takes one touch on the right to knock it inside Distin before coolly firing home with the outside of his right foot just inside the box.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Berbatov finishes with aplomb from Scholes' pass.

It was a terrible mistake from Distin that led to that chance. He slid in aimlessly when the ball went to Berbatov and completely over-committed.

Berbatov was in acres on the right - with just Jagielka to beat he laid it off to Nani who saw his shot saved impressively again by Howard. If Giggs had been more aware he could have been on hand to score the rbound.

Good catch from Van der Sar and the crosses haven't really tested the United defence in the second half.

Evans fouls Osman and Areta will take the right-wing free-kick.

Neville penalised for bringing down Pienaar and the midfielder comes forward with the ball and forces a save out of Van der Sar with a curling shot from 25 yards.

The ball breaks to Berbatov but he's eased off the ball comfortably by Jagielka.

United building patiently from the back, with some sharp exchanges.

<i>Stats: Everton have won eight and lost two of their last 10 home North West derbies at Goodison Park.</i>

Hibbert's cross is claimed by Van der Sar.

It's all Everton at the moment, Cahill with the cross and it drops to Hibbert at the back post. Probably not the player Toffees fans would like to be shooting from a Van Basten-esque angle. His effort is well over.

Pienaar with a stunning piece of skill, he received the ball and back-heeled it through O'Shea''s legs to get away from him before finding Osman with a pinpoint through ball. Evra was abck to get a crucial tackle in though.

Vidic unhappy with a challenge from Cahill and there's some handbags between the two of them now. There was a mid-air clash and the Serbian came off worst - that's probably what he's annoyed about.

Giggs threads it through to Berbatov whose touch is a bit loose. He returns the ball back to Giggs, whose touch is also a bit loose and the move breaks down. It's all a bit loose!

United just knocking it around the backline now, with Everton still continuing to pressure the players in possession.

Worked nicely between Arteta and Baines but as the left-back looks to pull it back to Pienaar his pass is intercepted.

Nani brings down Pienaar and Everton now have a free-kick about 40 yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Heitinga tackles Neville in a style resembling an American footballer and is promptly booked for his efforts.

<i>Stats: Everton's goal was the first United have conceded in the first half of a game this season. </i>

Vidic climbs to meet it and it's hoofed clear by Scholes.

Corner for Everton now, Areta to take.

Two great assists from Nani and last time United won at Goodsion, it was Vidic who got the winner. Will it be the same story again?

<b>Everton 1-2 United.</b> Nani's first cross was headed away and then his second bite at the cherry fins Vidic in acres. united's skipper made no mistake.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Vidic has headed United into the lead.

Berbatov with another go as space opens up in front of the Toffees' area. His shot is deflected out for a corner.

Bebratov immediately drives into the Everton penalty area but Hibbert stands him up well.

And we're off for the second half...

For UK users, ESPN is free-to-air this weekend. Between today and the early hours of Monday morning the channel is unscrambled, so you can watch a variety of sports, including live coverage of matches from the Bundesliga, Scottish Premier League and Serie A. It can be found on Sky channels 417 and 442 (HD) and Virgin media 529 and 530. <A HREF=http://tv.espn.co.uk/gb/espl/espn-news-updates/espn-news/take-your-seats-for-a-free-weekend-on-espn target-new>Click here for more information</A>.

HALF-TIME: Everton 1-1 United. After Everton dominated the first ten minutes, United came back into the game and were looking the better side when the Pienaar gave the Toffees the lead following a swift counter-attack. But just four minutes later, Fletcher equalised and it's a game on! Grab yourself a cup of tea and we will be back in 15 minutes.

There goes the half-time whistle. What a half.

Berbatov fires wide. An excellent attempt on the volley from Giggs' left-wing ball went just wide of the left post.

The free-kick is cleared away after Jagielka spoons an attempt at goal. Two minutes of added time at the end of the half.

<b>Everton 1-1 United.</b> Nani with a delicious cross from the right-wing and Fletcher with a fantastic run from midfield to just ghost in in front of Jagielka and guide it past Howard.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Fletcher scores for United.

Berbatov flagged offside and having looked extremely hungry for the past 20 minutes, the look on his face more closely resembles bemusement now.

Just 28 seconds elapsed between United's corner and the Toffees' goal.

United try to respond immediately but Everton are looking to tighten things up.

Just a sensationally quick counter by Everton and Pienaar grabs a much-deserved goal.

<b>Everton 1-0 United.</b> An incredible break from Everton, Arteta sprints away from Neville clean through but sees his shot saved first-time by Van der Sar. But it falls to Osman who passes it to Pienaar who slid it under the Dutch goalkeeper from eight yards out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Pienaar has scored or Everton!

Giggs hits a right-foot shot from 12 yards out and Howard's strong wrist diverts it away for a corner.

<b>Another brilliant save from Howard!</b>

Arteta wastes the free-kick and subsequently brings down Giggs as he attempts to run clear.

Fellaini fouled by Vidic and wolf whistles echo around as Hibbert changes his shorts on the sidelines.

It's all United at the moment but Nani wastes a second crossing opportunity in as many minutes.

United keeping the pressure on but Everton clear their lines from the resulting corner.

Nani laid it off to Scholes, whose shot was deflected and having already dived, Howard forced it over with his flailing leg. It looked certain to be heading in. Great stop.

<b>An incredible save from Howard - save of the season. </b>

Nani eyeing this one up.

Hibbert slides in late on Giggs outside the area and United have a free-kick about 20 yards out on the left of the Everton area.

United win a corner after Berbatov attempts to tiptoe through the Everton defence single-handedly.

We're hearing Nani needed a couple of stitches after that accidental clash with Pienaar.

<i>Stats: Everton have not lost a league match at home since November, when Liverpool won 2-0. </i>

Solid tackle by Hibbert and Everton come away with the ball.

Bertbatov and Scholes link well through the middle and the ball is moved wide lef to Evra.

Nani back on the pitch now after receiving treatment.

Everton continue to attack and the ball breaks to Baines in the box, but the left-back miscues from about 10 yards out.

Fantastic tackle by Vidic. Heitinga found Baines with a searching long ball and he played it across to Pienaar, who was just about to pull the trigger when the Serbian put his foot in.

Fellaini the latest Toffees player to shoot from distance and the result is the same as his team-mates. Over.

Cahill tries a speculative effort from 20 yards out but it almost sailed out of the stadium it was so high.

A stunning diagonal long pass from Scholes finds Berbatov on the left but he can't engineer an opening and there is little support.

Fellaini crosses in towards Cahill (shouldn't he be in the box himself?!) but Giggs heads away.

For once it seems that Nani might have a case. He is bleeding after a clash with Pienaar, but that doesn't stop the boos ringing out around Goodison as he walks off the pitch for treatment.

For once it seems that Nani might have a case. He is bleeding after a clash with Pienaar, but that doesn't stop the boos ringing out around Goodison as he walks off the pitch for treatment.

Nani is down on the floor but Everton playing on - they don't seem bothered in the slightest.

Scholes penalised for fouling Arteta and it's an Everton free-kick in midfield.

<i>Stats: United have had 55% possession to Everton's 45% in the past 10 minutes. </i>

Distin and Jagielka in the box but Berbatov is there to clear it out.

Pienaar again dropping deep to influence proceedings and Everton have a free-kick on the right of United's penalty area after Giggs fouls Osman.

David Moyes shouting instruction from the sidelines and he must be pleased with what he has seen so far.

Berbatov makes some space out right. he crosses it towards Giggs who lays it off to Nani. The ball breaks to Fletcher but United can't quite manufacture a lcear opening.

<i>Stats: This is the 184th meeting between these sides. Manchester United lead by 79 wins to 64, with 40 draws. </i>

Everton advancing with Pienaar again - and he's got Neville marking him at left-back. The South African playmaker is showing great enthusiasm and he's running his veteran marker a little ragged.

Some good patient build-up and unsurprisingly that brought United's first effort on goal.

<b>John O'Shea volleys one against the post from 25 yards out - sensational effort.</b>

Nani crossed one in towards Berbatov and United picking up the tempo.

United have finally just strung five passes together across the backline, Everton pressing hard but the red shirts are keeping possession.

Neville looks long for Nani but he's offside.

Cross from Hibbert as blue shirts swarm forward again, Van der Sar is in bravely to punch away ahead of Osman.

I haven't seen United dominated this since...well, since they last played at Everton in February really!

The corner breaks to Pienaar but his shot is deflected back out to Osman, who fires high over the bar.

Fletcher gives the ball away and Pienaar can advance. He passes it centrally out to Arteta who strikes one and Evans blocks it out for ANOTHER corner.

Arteta is dispossesed and Nani comes forward with the ball down the right. He gets a cross in but it only finds a blue shirt and Everton escape with the ball.

It's been all Everton and United have been completely unable to retain possession thus far.

Arteta swings it in and Evans clears.

Nani chases back and tackles Arteta well, another Everton corner though.

<b>It clips the crossbar - great effort from the Spaniard</b>

Neville escapes a booking but Arteta stands over the free-kick now.

Neville cynically takes down Pienaar 25 yards out - he's looked dangerous so far.

Evans collides with Cahill in the air but both players dust themselves off.

A frenetic opening, it has been a great first few minutes played at a high pace.

Pienaar pokes one goalwards after escaping the clutches of Neville, but it slides wide.

The Dutch keeper almost smashed his clearance into Evans' back, that could have been embarasssing.

Arteta takes the corner and it's handled easily by Van der Sar.

Pienaar breaks through and with some smart footwork - combines with Baines in the box before seeing his shot deflected out for a corner.

Everton kick things off and the ball is immediately lumped up towards Tim Cahill, though Evans copes with him. I can see that being used as a regular tactic throughout this game.

And we're off...

The players are out on the pitch and kick-off is less than five minutes away. It's a noisy old atmosphere on Merseyside but can the Toffees avoid slipping to a defeat that would mean their worst start to a season in 16 years.

United have beaten Everton more times than any team has beaten any other in Premier League history (27 times), though they haven't won at Goodison since 2007 - when Nemanja Vidic scored a late winner.

So the Rooney absence is the main team news for United, but another interesting choice is John O'Shea playing in central midfield (his 250th game for the club) with Scholes and Fletcher. Gary Neville is preferred at right-back - probably because of his experience of what can be a fairly hostile atmosphere at Goodison.

For Everton, Louis Saha is missing which means that they are not playing with any strikers - Tim Cahill plays up top with Marouane Feillaini. The rest of the team looks solid but the lack of firepower could be a problem. Plenty of aerial ability in those two though!

<b>Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Scholes, O'Shea, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Giggs. Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Smalling, Park, Rafael Da Silva, Macheda, Gibson.</b>

<b>Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Heitinga, Arteta, Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill. Subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Neville, Gueye, Yakubu, Coleman.</b>

Here are the team line-ups:

I'm a bit surprised by Sir Alex's decision, but we will see in about two hours whether the United manager was right or wrong. Ferguson did confirm, though, that Rooney will play in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The biggest news is that Wayne Rooney is nowhere to be seen. He has been dropped from the squad and will be watching the match from home. Sir Alex Ferguson said of Rooney: "He gets terrible abuse here and I'm not going to subject him to that."

Hello everyone and welcome to live coverage of Everton v Manchester United. The Toffees have a pretty poor record against the 11-time Premier League champions - but they did win 3-1 when the sides last met at Goodison Park in February. Can they repeat the feat today?

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Join us from 12.30 BST for live text commentary of Everton v Manchester United. The spotlight is on Wayne Rooney, but will the former Goodison Park hero be starting at his old stomping ground?