The long investigation into Everton’s finances finally came to a conclusion earlier on Friday when it was announced that the Merseyside club had been deducted 10 points from their Premier League tally this season.
The announcement drew a scathing response from the Goodison Park club and amid ongoing investigations into other clubs in the division, it is unlikely that we have heard the end of this.
Everton are still able to appeal the decision and it remains to be seen if they do so but as things stand, they have been deducted the 10 points in full and currently stand 19th in the table on four points, with only Vincent Kompany’s Burnley remaining below Sean Dyche’s men after the decision.
The decision comes just days before United make the trip to Goodison Park and Everton will feel like they have a point to prove when the Reds roll up next week.
If the decision to dock Everton more than two thirds of their points tally is upheld, points will matter more than ever now as they fight to remain in the league.
Dyche will be desperate to continue their good form against United but so will Erik ten Hag be, who has guided his side to the top end of the Premier League’s form table.
United have won four out of their five last Premier League games and are improving domestically as they sit sixth in the table.