The Toffees face a free-scoring Red Devils side in a late Premier League kickoff on Saturday, tasked with the challenge of overcoming a team that ruthlessly smashed nine goals past Southampton last time out
Everton have not won at Old Trafford since December 2013, and to stand any chance of rewriting history against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men, the Toffees will have to neutralise the impact of key man Bruno Fernandes, says Nigerian winger Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi confessed his admiration for the Portuguese attacking midfielder who only joined United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 but has already become a fan favourite at the Theater of Dreams.
With Paul Pogba seemingly unsettled in Manchester and Dutchman van de Beek still struggling to find his feet in England, Fernandes has been the one shining light in the centre of the park for the Red Devils.
The former Udinese star has had more goal involvements than any other United player this term, contributing 22 goals (12 goals and ten assists) in just 22 league matches for the 20-time English champions.
Manchester United host Everton at the Old Trafford in their Premier League clash later on Saturday. And Iwobi, who has been a regular in Carlo Ancelotti's side, is wary of the threat posed by the Portugal international.
“The amount of goals and assists he [Fernandes] gets, and the chances he creates – he’s a positive player, I have to give it to him,” the Super Eagles playmaker told talkSport.
“He always wants to make something happen.
“I’m sure we’ll have something in mind to try and keep him quiet.”
Manchester United come into this clash as the Premier League’s top scorers, hardly a surprise after their 9-0 win over Southampton.
However, Everton are expected to offer a tougher-test than the Saints demonstrated in their capitulation on Tuesday.
The Toffees sit only four points shy of the Champions League spots, and Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be hoping to boost their top-four hopes with a victory at Old Trafford.
Iwobi has featured 18 times in the league for the Blues, scoring once in their 2-1 win at Wolves in mid-January.
