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Manchester United-Everton Preview

Everton and Manchester United have little to play for ahead of their meeting at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United (19-8-6) had their six-game winning streak end with last weekend's 1-0 defeat against champions-elect Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The result left United 11 points behind the league leaders and out of the title race, but Van Gaal's side are eight points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and comfortably in position to claim a Champions League qualification place.

Chelsea deployed an unusual tactic of placing two ultra-defensive midfielders in front of the back four against United, which will have been taken as a huge compliment by midfield wrecking-ball Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian has played a big part in United's recent revival, and Sunday will be an extra-special occasion for him as he returns to his former stomping grounds.

"I asked him today and he said 'it's (just) a game', but I think he doesn't want to admit it," Van Gaal told MUTV. "He is very dry in his answers but I believe it shall be a special game. I hope that the fans receive him like the Chelsea fans received Juan Mata, because I like that very much. It was fantastic to see and I hope it is like that this weekend.

"Every player who is playing for Manchester United has qualities. I believe Marouane Fellaini has qualities and we want to the qualities of Fellaini to dominate in a team. I believe that we are doing that and that's why his performances are better now."Saturday's hosts Everton (10-11-12) are well aware of Fellaini's qualities, but manager Roberto Martinez is not allowing himself to be distracted by the issue of the midfielder's return.

"Obviously Marouane's past at Everton will never be forgotten that is clear," Martinez admitted. "I'm sure after the game, if there is a moment to look back, then that's always a positive memory and I'm sure every Evertonian will have that in mind. But the most important thing is the three points."

Martinez's side have found form at exactly the right time - picking up 13 points from their last five games to move into the safety of mid-table after a demoralising overall campaign.

James McCarthy and Leon Osman may both be back in contention after injury problems for Everton, but Darron Gibson, Bryan Oviedo and Tony Hibbert remain out.

United have injury concerns over Adnan Januzaj and Daley Blind, while Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Rafael and Marcos Rojo are sidelined.

Radamel Falcao, Steven Naismith and Angel di Maria were the scorers when United beat Everton 2-1 at Old Trafford in October, but neither Falcao nor Di Maria have been regular starters of late for Van Gaal's side.

Everton did the double over United last season and have kept clean sheets in three of their last five against the Red Devils.

The Goodison Park crowd will use Sunday's game as a chance to remember former chairman Sir Philip Carter, who died on Thursday at the age of 87.

"He was a pure gentleman, and always very clear on transmitting what Everton means, what we are as a football club," Martinez said. "A unique figure in the game, he wanted to win like anyone, but was always gracious.

"Sunday is a unique opportunity to make Sir Philip Carter proud, playing one of the biggest teams in the league. We have a chance to go out against United and make it an occasion for him."

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