LEIGHTON BAINES believes Everton can take encouragement from their recent performances against Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s Wembley showdown.

The two sides meet in the FA Cup semi-final with David Moyes’s men having run the champions close in their two league meetings earlier in the campaign.

Everton came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Goodison in October while only a disputed Cristiano Ronaldo penalty broke a spirited resistance at Old Trafford in January.

And Baines believes Moyes’s side will draw confidence from those showings as they aim to extend a run of just four defeats in 29 games.

“We’ve acquitted ourselves well over the other two games,” said left-back.

“We drew at Goodison and we were beaten by one goal at Old Trafford. We always feel we are capable of nicking a goal, and if we keep it close then we have a chance.

“There’s nothing ever been especially prepared against United in the past. We prepare well for every game.

“We’ve done well against them a couple of times this season and hopefully we can do the same again.”