Erik ten Hag has warned Everton’s anger over their Premier League points deduction could be to their detriment in Sunday’s clash against Manchester United.

A charged atmosphere at Goodison Park awaits United as Everton play their first game since being handed a record 10-point deduction. Protests are being planned by a number of Toffees supporters, with the hosts hoping to harness that energy into a winning drive.

Ten Hag said he is expecting Everton to use his team as a punching bag for their frustrations, admitting that the charges have given the club more impetus to go for the three points.

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However, he said the energy generated inside the ground has the potential to backfire, although insisted that his team will only focus on their game. Speaking ahead of the clash, the United manager was asked whether he is facing Everton at an inopportune moment.

“That’s definitely the case,” Ten Hag said, “but we can’t do anything about it. You have to take it like it is but of course, they get more fuel but that can also work against them.

“But it’s not about that, it’s about us. We have to focus on the game and our way of playing. We have to make sure we are ready and we start the game with the right attitude. It’s always about a winning attitude.”

Everton have called the sanction “unjust” and are appealing the decision. A club statement last Friday added: “The harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted.”

The trip to Merseyside is one of three straight away games for United. A trip to Turkey to take on Galatasaray in a must-win Champions League match takes place on Wednesday ahead of the Premier League visit to Newcastle the following Saturday.