Erik ten Hag warns his Man United stars to prepare for a backlash from a 'mad' Everton on Sunday, as he expects the Toffees to use their 10-point deduction as 'fuel' for the Goodison Park clash

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Everton were deducted 10 points last week for breaching financial rules
Erik ten Hag is expecting a backlash when his side face the Toffees this weekend
CHRIS SUTTON: Everton players must keep their heads - It's All Kicking Off

By Chris Wheeler for MailOnline

Published: 14:20 GMT, 24 November 2023 | Updated: 14:46 GMT, 24 November 2023

Erik ten Hag has warned his Manchester United players that a ‘mad’ Everton will be fired up by a sense of injustice when the two clubs meet at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The Merseysiders have been hit with a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations, dropping from 14th place to second from bottom in the table.

They are the first Premier League club to be docked points for the offence and Ten Hag is expecting a backlash from Sean Dyche’s team.

‘I can see the opposition, I can see they are mad,’ said the United boss. ‘Finally, it's about us. If they are mad, that's their fuel. We have to match those standards. If we match the standards we have a very good chance to win the game.’

Asked about the points deduction, Ten Hag added: ‘I can't tell because I don't know the details about it, I don't have an opinion. I can imagine Everton fans are very mad. We can do nothing about it. We have to match their standards.’

Erik ten Hag expects Everton to be fired up to face his team at Goodison Park on Sunday

Sean Dyche's team will be playing their first game since being handed a 10-point deduction

Ten Hag feels Everton's players will be fuelled by a sense of injustice for this weekend's match

United go into the game as the Premier League’s form team with four wins from five games, but are struggling in Europe ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League tie away to Galatasaray.

‘Definitely, we have seen a turning point,’ said Ten Hag. ‘We have seen how we deal with certain situations but now we build on it. We go into a massive month. We are looking really forward and confident. In the Premier League, everyone is winning from everyone and teams will drop points. We have won four of the last five games.’

A tough week ends with a trip to Newcastle, and Ten Hag said: ‘We go in a week, very condensed, we play three games in six days. As a squad, we have to deal with that. Of course, we have a plan, a strategy for it. We make the players aware and they have to take responsibility for it, but it's about co-operation.’

Ten Hag will be banned from the touchline at Goodison Park after picking up his third booking of the season in the win over Luton a fortnight ago.

He added: ‘Let's say this: it's a ban and you are not always agreeing with the refereeing, I think many decisions against us this season. I saw a number: 18 in the league. But still I have to accept it.

'The advantage is I could have a better view (from the stands). Definitely, you have to behave yourself there (on the touchline), even when they make mistakes.’