Frank Lampard WILL take over Everton’s FA Cup clash against Manchester United

Frank Lampard will referee Everton’s FA Cup game at Manchester United but his long-term future remains in doubt.

The pressured Everton manager, whose side have lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions, reported to work at Finch Farm just after 9am on Wednesday morning to clear the debris of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Brighton sight.

The 44-year-old has no illusions about how precarious his position is and there are fears another heavy defeat at Old Trafford will bring down the curtain on a reign that only began on January 31 last year – Owner Farhad Moshiri will make the final decision on whether Lampard stays or leaves.

Frank Lampard will referee Everton’s FA Cup game at Manchester United on Friday

Difficult defeats were often the trigger for Moshiri to pull the trigger, but Lampard avoided that fate on Wednesday and began using his coaching staff to conjure a response from a squad whose consistency was their inconsistency.

Lampard held talks with Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s director of football, and Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the chief executive, who were staying at the facility for a pre-scheduled visit before they had a warm-up session with the squad around midday.

The Toffees lost 4-1 to Brighton as their miserable return from the World Cup continued

There were calls for Lampard to be sacked after the game amid the club’s poor form

Thelwell had spoken at length with Lampard at Goodison Park on Tuesday night after a performance so anemic it left many wondering if Everton can repeat what they did last year and avoid relegation.

Many of Lampard’s squad left Finch Farm between 1.30pm and 2pm to rest ahead of a trip to Old Trafford that looks even more daunting. However, there is a feeling that whatever he does will only delay the inevitable conclusion.

Sean Dyche is favorite to take over – he held the position when Ronald Koeman was sacked in October 2017 – and would be available out of the box, as would former manager Roberto Martinez, who continues to have admirers at the club.

The Merseyside club are yet to win since returning to the Premier League this winter

Owner Farhad (right) Moshiri will make the final decision on whether boss (c) stays

It’s difficult not to have sympathy for Lampard, who managed to keep Everton in the Premier League last season but then saw their best player Richarlison sold to Tottenham. The Brazilian’s departure has severely impacted Everton’s goal-scoring threat.

They have only scored two goals or more in a game twice in 17 Premier League games – the last was on October 22 – but they are struggling to attract a player who could solve that problem. They were linked to Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom on Wednesday but have no interest in him.