TIM HOWARD insists Manchester United will not relish hosting in-form Everton this weekend – despite their 19-year winless streak at Old Trafford.
The Toffees goalkeeper is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing David Moyes’s men as they go in search of Everton’s first victory in the home of the Red Devils since 1992.
But the former United keeper believes that the Blues will take the game to Alex Ferguson’s title-chasing side.
He said: “The way we’re going, they won’t take us lightly. It would be massive to go to Old Trafford and get a result because not many teams go there and do it.
“We know we’ve got our work cut out going there and doing it, but we’ve been in great form and although it’ll be hard we’ll give everything. They will take it to us but we feel good about ourselves.”
Howard, who admitted Everton’s lack of wins against the red half of Manchester means Old Trafford is not his favourite away ground, is delighted with the current resilience in the Goodison camp.
Everton are unbeaten in seven, and hope to be able to include Mikel Arteta in their squad for the visit to Manchester.
“There is that backs against the wall chemistry again,” said the 32-year-old. “We’ve got some of our best players out but it says a lot about the team and the manager and staff that we rally around each other.
“We’ve gone on the training field with six first team players but we enjoy the training and eachother’s company.
“That shows in our performances and the results have come. It shows what the players feel about putting the shirt on.”
Meanwhile, Shane Duffy has returned to Everton after a brief loan spell with championship side Burnley.
The Ireland U-21 defender only featured once for the Clarets during an emergency 28-day period, but boss Eddie Howe has confirmed he could be back in for the youngster.
“Part of the reason we took him was to look long term with Shane,” the Burnley manager said.
“We’ll wait and see how pre-season goes for him and what his options are and how Everton feel, but he’s done himself no harm and he goes back with our best wishes.”
