Everton star Dwight McNeil believes that now is a good time for his side to face Manchester United following their defeat to fierce rivals Man City last weekend.
The Reds were put to the sword by Pep Guardiola's men on Sunday with United shipping six goals at the Etihad Stadium. However, Erik ten Hag's side did manage to steady the ship somewhat versus Omonia Nicosia on Thursday evening.
Despite going a goal down against the run of play, second-half substitutes Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial turned the game in United's favour. But, although the Reds have managed to return to winning ways, McNeil is still confident that this is the best time to face Ten Hag's men.
ALSO READ: How United dressing room reacted to Ten Hag criticism
Speaking to the Daily Mail, McNeil said: "We look at the players rather than their transfer fees, we try to assess their strengths and weaknesses and how we can exploit what they are not good at. There won’t be any feeling of inferiority.
"Every team in the Premier League has top players. United do, so do we. We know the outcome we want.
"It’s a good time for us to play United. At the weekend, they had a hard game obviously."
Facing United holds special significance for McNeil having been released by the club when he was 14. He managed to forge a career for himself away from Old Trafford and the 22-year-old explained how the Reds' decision has motivated him.
"My dad was a United fan and so was I," he explained. "I went there at five-years-old but at 14 the coaches told my mum and dad I was released and they told me on the way home in the car.
"It was hard for me to take and my parents' main concern was that I was alright. United told us in March and said I could stay until the end of the season but we decided it was best to leave completely and I went on a six-week trial to Burnley.
"I think the feeling was to try and prove the people who made the decision wrong and I think I’ve managed to do that. Burnley helped me massively. While the quality wasn’t as good, people were faster and stronger and I was in the first-team dressing room at 17.
"Getting released by United was hard at the time but looking back now I don’t have any regrets."
United travel to Goodison Park on Sunday for the 7pm kick-off.
READ NEXT:
