Afternoon all. Right, what can we expect from Manchester United and Everton today? Hopefully, goals! Neither has been great defensively this term, so it shouldn't be a dull 0-0!

Before we look at this encounter in a little more detail, let's have a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with hosting United.

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Rafael, McNair, Rojo, Shaw; Blind; Valencia, Di Maria; Mata; Falcao, Van Persie

MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Thorpe, Blackett, Fletcher, Fellaini, Januzaj, Wilson

Another match and yet more selection dilemmas for Louis van Gaal, who has been forced into making two alterations to his side. The suspended Wayne Rooney and injured Ander Herrera have dropped out, which has seen Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia come into the midfield diamond. Elsewhere, youngster Paddy McNair has kept his place in defence alongside Marcos Rojo, while Robin van Persie will captain the team.

And now for visiting Everton...

EVERTON XI: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Stones, Baines; Barry, Besic,;Pienaar, McGeady, Naismith; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Joel, Gibson, Eto'o, Oviedo, Osman, Browning, Alcaraz.

There is no James McCarthy, Sylvain Distin and Seamus Coleman - all of whom are injured - but Steven Pienaar has returned to the starting lineup after a stint on the sidelines. It looks like Romelu Lukaku will play in a more central role today, with Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith offering the support in a wide role.

Right, let's get Van Gaal's thoughts on this encounter. Here is some of what the United boss has just told BT Sport:

"I like [the way Everton play], the coach is implementing a very attractive playing style, we have to wait to see if he does that also against us. [We have to] not only keep ball possession but also to score goals, we have a clot of creative players, and they also have to look for the balance. When you lose the ball you have to defend and that is my message."

© Getty Images

VIDEO PREVIEW! Van Gaal has had his say, now it's the turn of Sports Mole's very own Matt Law, Pascal Lemesre and Barney Corkhill, who have previewed the game below:

Someone that will be extra keen to find the net today is Radamel Falcao. In general, the Colombian has played well since arriving at Old Trafford from Monaco last month and has even assisted two goals, but he hasn't found the net himself. As someone that thrives on scoring goals throughout his career, he will be desperate to break his duck sooner rather than later.

Of course, Falcao will be up against an Everton side that was playing 2,000 miles away in Russia on Thursday night. Yet, speaking to BT Sport just now, manager Roberto Martinez is not going to be using that as an excuse should the result go against his side:

"We had a very good trip to Russia. We worked extremely hard last season to be in European competition. The squad is ready and the Europa League is pushing squad and making us better. We are stronger now."

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry has also been vocal in the press this weekend. Talking to reporters, he has insisted that visiting teams are not scared of going to Old Trafford anymore.

"I think it has [lost that fear factor]. "I can speak from my own experience and obviously Everton's as well. It was fantastic to win there last season. Everton hadn't won there for many years and there was a great feeling in the dressing room afterwards to break that duck and put in a great performance at a fantastic stadium and a great team. It took me probably 12 or 13 years to win a Premier League game there."

PREDICTION: The chaps have given their thoughts below, but I'll throw my hat into the ring as well. Both sides will be confident of scoring goals, that's for sure. It will be interesting to see, though, how Everton cope with the demands of having been in Russia on Thursday night. They are not used to that and do not have the biggest squad to select from. Let's go 3-1 to the hosts, with Falcao breaking his duck.

Out on the pitch right now are former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and midfielder Ji-sung Park, who has taken on the role as club ambassador:

Welcome back to #mufc, Ji-sung Park! The South Korean returns as a club ambassador. More: http://t.co/1SZv3ZfTF9 pic.twitter.com/GtdABYwWxd — Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2014

A quick word from Everton striker Lukaku, who has told BT Sport: "I'm feeling very well, we have recovered well and we are ready for today. We need to be sharper than we were last week at Liverpool and make the most of our chances."

Here come the two sets of players, with the handshakes due to take place. Not long now until we are off and running at Old Trafford.

KICKOFF! Hosting United, attacking from right to left during the first half, get this encounter underway.

CHANCE! First sight of goal for Falcao and United as Shaw sends over a dangerous cross from the left for the Colombian, but his downward header is comfortably stopped by Howard. It's been a bright start from the home team.

CHANCE! It's another decent cross from United, this time coming from the boot of Di Maria. Van Persie catches Stones on his heels and nips in front of the Everton defender, but the United captain can only hook his volley over the crossbar.

BOOKING! Moments after he misses a chance to put United in the lead, Van Persie goes into the book for a late sliding challenge on Barry just inside the Everton half.

It's certainly something that both Di Maria and Shaw are looking to do:

Pretty sure Man United will look to attack down Evertons right from the beginning and test out Hibbert who hasn't played to much recently — Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) October 5, 2014

BOOKING! It's now 1-1 in terms of bookings as Everton midfielder Besic sees yellow for bringing down Falcao on the halfway line.

CHANCE! United continue to work well down Everton's right as Shaw clips a pass over the top for Di Maria, who instantly flicks the ball into the path of Falcao. His first touch takes him into the Everton area, but his second sees him fire well wide.

PIC: Luke Shaw contests an aerial challenge with Everton's Aiden McGeady. #mufclive pic.twitter.com/ASFbSkjwRt

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 5, 2014

BOOKING! That's the most obvious yellow card you will see all weekend as Pienaar tugs back Rafael.

You have to say, it's been coming. Jagielka does well initially to clear Rafael's dangerous cross from the right, but the loose ball only finds Mata. The Spaniard squares a perfectly weighted pass for Di Maria, who with bodies in front of Howard, was able to curl a right footed shot beyond the reach of the Everton keeper. That's a really good finish from the Argentine, who has scored three goals in five Premier League matches.

BOOKING! Another caution for United and this time it's Blind, who is just beaten to the ball by Naismith and then brings down the Scot.

Half a chance for Everton as Baines swings in a dangerous corner, which causes confusion in the United area. It seems that Naismith has a tap in, but at the final moment Rafael throws himself in the way to clear the danger.

CHANCE! For the first time today Lukaku gets in behind McNair and brings down Baines's lofted pass expertly. However, with both McNair and Rojo for company, the Belgian lashes his shot from a narrow angle wildly wide. That was Everton's first shot of the match, but it's one to forget.

At present, United are seeing out the half with some neat passing moves. It's vitally important for Everton that they do not concede another.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

DE GEA SAVES! When was the last time that Baines didn't score from the spot?! First of all, the penalty was given after Shaw needlessly brought down Hibbert inside the area. Up stepped the Everton left-back, but he is denied by De Gea, who guesses correctly to turn the ball away. What a big moment that could be come the final whistle.

Moments after De Gea's heroics, the referee blows for the break and a buoyant United head back to the dressing room. As for Everton and Baines, they will be wondering what should have been.

STAT @D_DeGea is the first keeper to save a Leighton Baines penalty in the #BPL. The Everton man had scored 14 out of 14 prior to today

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 5, 2014

That save from De Gea could well prove to be crucial. United have been the better side without a doubt, with the likes of Blind, Di Maria and Mata given far too much space in the midfield areas. Had that penalty gone in, though, it would have put a completely different complexion on that half. It's likely that Van Gaal is urging his side to add further goals as early as possible to make sure the outcome is safe.

As for Everton, even putting that penalty aside, they have not been good enough. Lukaku has had their one chance from open play, but he fired it well wide. They have had plenty of the ball, but it has been in areas of the pitch that will not have worried United too much. They need an injection of life from someone because so far it has been too one-paced and predictable.

RESTART! The players are back with us and Everton, who trail 1-0, get the second half underway.

CHANCE! Is Falcao ever going to score for United?! Shaw does very well to get the better of Hibbert down the left and then pulls the ball back for the striker, who takes one touch to set himself from close range. His second, though, is a poor effort which deflects behind for a corner of Stones. He really should have scored from there!

BOOKING! The referee has certainly been card-happy today, although on this occasion it's understandable. It's another United player that has had his name taken as Valencia rakes his studs down the back of Lukaku's leg.

Fair play to Baines, he certainly hasn't gone into hiding after his penalty failure. It's a great cross by the left-back and having got in between Rafael and Shaw, Naismith plants powerful header past a helpless De Gea. Everton are level and all of a sudden it's the visiting fans that are singing. There are certainly some nerves at Old Trafford now.

CHANCE! He may not have scored for United yet, but Falcao has just saved a goal up the other end. Jagielka darts forward to meet Baines's corner and his header is creeping inside the far post, only for Falcao to hack the ball clear. It's Everton that are in the ascendancy.

There is the goal that everybody connected with United was dying to see! Di Maria is heavily involved as his mis-cued shot falls into the path of Falcao, who beats Howard from close range. The relief on his face is there for all to see. The first of many perhaps? It's a goal that will certainly hurt Everton because they had been on top/

EVERTON SUB: Pienaar has picked up an injury and he cannot continue. On comes Bryan Oviedo, who scored the winner in this fixture last season.

Nice first goal @FALCAO to give #MUFC their lead back!!

— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) October 5, 2014

MAN UNITED SUB: First change for United and it's because Shaw has picked up a knee injury, with Tyler Blackett coming on in his place.

MAN UNITED SUB: And another change for United, with goalscorer Falcao coming off. He's been replaced by young striker James Wilson.

EVERTON SUBS: Two changes from Martinez, who has brought on Osman and Browning in place of McGeady and Hibbert. The visitors have used all three of the substitutes now.

MAN SUB: It's substitutions galore at Old Trafford! Valencia is the man that comes off for United, with former Everton midfielder Fellaini taking his place.

It is strange that when his side is in need of a goal, Martinez has not turned to Eto'o. He may end up scoring the equaliser, but Lukaku has been pretty quiet today and the veteran Eto'o could have potentially made a difference out there. He certainly would have provided a lively presence.

SAVE! Very smart stop from De Gea, who has kept United in front. It's a good strike from Osman from the edge of the box, but the United keeper is behind it and holds at the first attempt.

BOOKING! Everton keeper Howard goes into the book following an altercation with Van Persie. That was all a bit needless. Meanwhile, there will be four minutes of stoppage time for Everton to find an equaliser.

SAVE! But for De Gea, United could well be behind now! Osman gets in between Blackett and Rojo and powers a shot towards goal, but De Gea shows great reflexes to deny the Everton substitute. Elsewhere, Wilson has been booked for a trip on Baines. The visitors are pushing hard for an equaliser.

SAVE! The United stopper has quite simply been man of the match. Blackett is brave to block from Barry and when Ovideo sends the rebound heading towards the top corner, De Gea throws out a hand to turn the ball over the bar. That is some save!

Everton will end this clash with 10 men because in that scramble that saw De Gea save, Stones has picked up an ankle injury and has been stretchered off. That will mean there will plenty more added time.

And breathe Man United fans! Thanks to De Gea, Van Gaal has recorded back to back wins in the Premier League for the first time. Everton will be wondering how they haven't at least got a point out of this, but it's United that are celebrating.

That is all we have time for from Old Trafford, but stick with Sports Mole for reaction, analysis and player ratings from this contest. Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye.