Barclays Premier League as it happened: Everton 3-0 Manchester United

Robin van Persie makes his return after over a month out, replacing Wayne Rooney who looks to be limping as he leaves the pitch. The day just gets worse for United.

An excellent save from De Gea keeps Everton from getting a fourth. Mirallas glides in from the left, easily stepping out of the way from Blind, who has had an awful game. The Belgian takes aim and shoots from 25 yards out but he is denied by a fine save from the Spaniard.

Oh dear, Valencia. Barkley's hopeful ball loops over the United defence and is left by Lukaku, who was stood in an offside position. Mirallas is on though and races onto the ball with the United right back stood still appealing for the linesman's flag. One on one with De Gea, the Belgian tucks a neat finish into the bottom corner. Dreadful stuff from United now.

Goal! Everton 3-0 Manchester United (Kevin Mirallas)

Di Maria spots the run of Falcao and lifts a ball in from the right. It's a difficult header for the Colombian to take on, however, and he can't get quite enough on his looping header to beat Howard.

Young is penalised for fouling Lennon as he tried to cut inside the Everton winger. Baffling decision from the referee Andre Marriner.

That break in play however allows van Gaal to make another chance with Di Maria entering the fray in place of Mata.

The first 15 minutes of this half has drifted by United; they are in desperate need of a spark. Will Angel Di Maria get the nod soon?

Everton are happy to sit back but continue to look dangerous on the counter. Lukaku shows some wonderful skill down the inside left flank to ease past Valencia and drill a ball across goal, but there is no one on the end of it and Lennon is unable to keep the ball in play.

United have picked up from where they left off, dominating possession but failing to pick their way through Everton. Shaw's overlapping run almost manages it however, cutting the ball back to Mata inside the box but his meek shot is blocked.

And we are back underway for the second half with United making one change as Radamel Falcao enters the fray in place of Fellaini.

HALF TIME: Everton 2-0 Manchester United

Everton win another corner but this time it's overhit and Blind can bring the ball out.

Third time's a charm for the home side as John Stones towers above Valencia to thump home a terrific header off the underside of the bar!

Goal! Everton 2-0 Manchester United (John Stones, 34)

It's a third successive corner for Everton now after headers out by Fellaini and then Rooney...

Seamus Coleman suddenly finds himself in acres of space out on the right with Lukaku free in the middle! His cross is an accurate on, but Smalling is back in a nick of time to divert it out for a corner.

Valencia again does well out on the right, springing clear of Baines before floating a ball into the box. Rooney chests it down to Young but he shanks a fairly poor shot over the bar, not troubling Howard in the slightest.

Everton are rarely getting a sniff at the minute but when they do, they aren't helping themselves. Barry this time concedes possession, allowing United to again shift the ball to the left where Young whips in a cross that goes out for a corner. It comes to nothing, however, when Fellaini is penalised on the edge of the box.

Herrera combines with Rooney on the edge of the box before trying to dance his way past a cluster of Everton shirts. He manages it well, but then tries to shift the ball back onto his right, allowing Stones to step across and cut out the space for the shot.

Fellaini is fouled out on the right and United have the free kick. Mata takes it, clipping one into Smalling but his flicked header is again straight at Howard. United have responded well to going behind, you feel there are definitely more goals in this.

Again, United come down the left as Shaw bursts past Coleman and into the box. Howard is out and just about gets there first to slide the ball away and Everton clear.

Now Lukaku threatens to cause problems in the United box, forcing Smalling to concede the corner.

More neat up play from United. Shaw plays the ball inside to Fellaini, who shifts it to Rooney on the edge of the box. Reading the danger around him he swivels and instead tees up a shot for Blind, but his effort is a poor one, driven straight into Howard's arms.

Fellaini is given a stern warning by the referee after a clumsy challenge on McCarthy. He doesn't take the advice on board however and moments later the Belgian is booked for a late challenge on Barkley.

United are dominating now, but Everton look so dangerous on the counter. This time Lennon is freed down the right and he gets the better of Luke Shaw before lifting a cross into the box. It finds Lukaku, but he can't bring the ball under control and United can clear.

What a chance for United to equalise immediately! Gareth Barry has his pocked picked by Fellaini on the edge of his box, but with only Tim Howard to beat, the Belgian lifts a poor shot over the bar.

From United's corner, Everton spring down the other end and score! It's Lukaku who wins a vital header in his own to spark the move, allowing McCarthy to spray the ball wide to Coleman. His cross into the box is only half cleared, allowing McCarthy to continue his run, slip inbetween the challenges of Blind and McNair before slotting home.

Goal! Everton 1-0 Manchester United (James McCarthy, 4)

Valencia surges down the right past Osman and is only stopped from entering the box by the sliding challenge of Baines. United corner.

It's a frantic start to the game as both sides partake in a bit of head tennis before Juan Mata brings it down and slips in Fellaini on the edge of the box. He moves the ball onto his right foot and shoots for goal, but his effort is charged down.

And Everton get us underway at Goodison.

We are just about five minutes away from kick off, both sides are now making their way out onto the pitch.

Jonny Evans is once again available after serving a six match ban for spitting at Newcastle's Papiss Cisse but there is no space for him in the match day squad. Paddy McNair, after his excellent performance at Stamford Bridge last week continues alongside Chris Smalling, with Tyler Blackett offering an option on the bench.

Everton meanwhile are at full strength this afternoon.

Angel di Maria again starts on the bench this afternoon alongside strikers Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

BREAKING: Daley Blind returns to Manchester United's midfield, Wayne Rooney starts up front while Paddy McNair retains his place in defence.

Manchester United team to face Everton: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Young, Rooney

Subs: Valdes, Blackett, Januzaj, Pereira, Di Maria, van Persie, Falcao.

BREAKING: Both Leon Osman and James McCarthy return to Everton's midfield. Romelu Lukaku is also back to lead the attack.

Everton team to face Manchester United: Howard, Baines, Stones, Jagielka (c), Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Osman, Barkley, Lennon, Lukaku.

If Falcao is given the nod again today, he must produce something quickly if he is to convince Manchester United to make his loan move permanent. His manager did not sound completely sold when speaking about the Colombian in his pre-match press conference.

Falcao has been given the chance to be in the team this season. You can say he is unlucky – he has the quality to play.I like him and the way he played against Chelsea last week. He was unlucky he didn't score.

"I like Falcao as a human being, just as I like Danny Welbeck and Chicharito (Hernandez), they are always professional.

"But when you are not in the team for season after season, there comes a time when you need a challenge. That's why I have said goodbye to Welbeck and Chicharito. And now I have to talk with Falcao," he added.

With Michael Carrick out and Daley Blind unlikely to be fully fit, Louis van Gaal will have no hesitation in dropping Wayne Rooney into a midfield role again as he did against Chelsea.

That opens up a spot up front but will Radamel Falcao be given the nod after his mixed performance at Stamford Bridge? Robin van Persie is fit again and is in contention to replace the Colombian. Van Gaal said this week:

Yes, he has to train very hard, play in the second team. He has to show his qualities again. Then I have to compare him with the positions he can play, with the players that play in that position - it is always the same

Romelu Lukaku meanwhile was forced off in last week's 1-0 win over Burnley but the Belgium international is in line to return this afternoon. Roberto Martinez said during the week:

Rom came through his role against Burnley really well with no problems. He has trained really well this week, so he is fully fit.

Roberto Martinez welcomed Leon Osman and James McCarthy back to training on Friday after respective groin and ankle injuries but Steven Pienaar remains a doubt with a muscle problem.

Just when things were going well for Louis van Gaal, the injuries that plagued the first half of United's season have reared their head again. Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick are all still out but Daley Blind could be available once again.

Adnan Januzaj is also a doubt after suffering an injury while playing for United's Under-21 ranks last week, while Rafael da Silva is out for the rest of the season having suffered a broken rib in the same game.

Robin van Persie also featured in that Under-21 match and is in the frame to return to the starting line up today, should Wayne Rooney be deployed as a holding midfielder again in the absence of Carrick.

A year is a long time in football. This week last year, Manchester United were licking their wounds after they were comfortably beaten by Everton at Goodison Park, their second win over the Old Trafford club of the season. It would be David Moyes' last game in charge with the United hierarchy pulling the trigger on the Scot a few days later, following the loss that confirmed they would have no chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

While it hasn't been smooth sailing this season, the new man in charge is close to achieving just that. Louis van Gaal's side are now seven points clear of fifth placed Liverpool ahead of kick off this afternoon, and a win at Goodison today will lift them back into second place, for a couple of hours at least, depending on which Arsenal we see against Chelsea later on.