Manchester United v Everton Betting: No happy return for Rooney as hosts lay down early marker

Manchester United are looking to get a fourth win of the Premier League season under their belts on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Wayne Rooney and Everton to Old Trafford.

The former England captain departed the red half of Manchester in summer after 13 years at the club, with Romelu Lukaku going the other way in a separate deal, but returns looking for three points.

The Toffees will have their work cut out, though, as Jose Mourinho’s men have won 18 of the last 24 clashes between the two sides and are 10/31 (1.32) favourites on SportPesa to continue their fine start to the campaign.

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The Red Devils have found the net 12 times in the league this term - as well as beating Basel 3-0 in midweek – and you can get Lukaku at 5/6 (1.83) anytime to score his fifth of the Premier League season, or 14/5 (3.80) to bag first in the match.

Marcus Rashford has also been in good form this season and has scored in his last three games for club and country, with SportPesa offering him at 17/4 (5.25) to score first or 5/4 (2.25) to net at anytime.

Everton, meanwhile, have struggled on the road in the league this calendar year and have only won once away from Goodison Park; they can be backed at 39/4 (10.75) to cause an upset whilst the draw is 17/4 (5.25).

Goals have also been hard to come by for Ronald Koeman’s side, who have scored just twice in the league this season, with Rooney netting both – the forward is price at 12/1 (13.0) to open the scoring or 4/1 (5.0) anytime.

Backing anything but a home victory would be brave, but true value may lie in when they take the lead; the Red Devils have netted in the first half in three of their four league matches this season, whilst Everton have been losing at the break in their last three in all competitions, making a price of 10/11 (1.91) for Mourinho's side to be leading after 45 minutes too good to miss.

The 50 Premier League matches between these sides so far have mustered an average of 2.76 goals per game, and it is fairly likely that the strikes will flow - at least for the hosts.