Manchester United takes on Crystal Palace in another Premier League blockbuster as they maintain their push for a top-four finish.
After Olise’s last-minute strike from a freekick that stripped the Red Devils of two points at the death, Erik Ten Hag will be hoping for revenge as he hosts Patrick Viera’s boys at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are 15 points better than Crystal palace, who are rocked 12th on the log after 20 matches.
The Red Devils have witnessed a sudden resurgence under Erik Ten Hag. They have turned Old Trafford into a fortress after the opening defeat to Brighton. Hence, Patrick Vieira will face a tough test traveling to take on the in-form Red Devils squad in front of their home fans.
Match Preview
Manchester United’s stats this season are far more intimidating, even a point for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford will be a shocker.
The Red Devils completed an EFL Cup double over Nottingham Forest, winning 5-0 on aggregate to make it to the final.
Erik Ten Hag is just a game away from winning his first trophy in his Premier League debut as Manchester United manager.
Despite a brilliant run this season, the Red Devils will be heading into the Premier clash against Crystal Palace on the backdrop of two matches without a win.
They suffered late bruises in the game against Arsenal, losing 3-2 to the Premier League leaders with Nketiah’s last-minute strike.
At Selhurst Park, Erik Ten Hag nearly ran away with all three points when Olise’s late thunderbolt forced them to share spoils.
The match added to Manchester United’s poor campaigns against the Eagles in all competitions.
The Red Devils have not been able to assert their dominance over Crystal Palace recently. They have managed only one win in their last five meetings with the Eagles.
After the World Cup break, Crystal Palace have failed to win a single game and they are running into a list of tough fixtures ahead, with Liverpool, Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Arsenal in the list of their next six games after the Man United match.
Although they are 7 points off the relegation zone, sitting 12th on the log, Patrick Vieira faces a tough test ahead and the game against Manchester United will be an inkling of their fate after the next six fixtures.
Team News
Christian Eriksen tops Manchester United’s injury list ahead of the game. De Beek and Mctominay are also major doubts for the game.
Manchester United’s regular back four – Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Wan-Bissaka, and Luke Shaw are expected to start while out-of-favor Man United captain Harry Maguire will start on the bench.
Diogo Dalot is still nursing a hamstring injury and remains doubtful, so Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to continue at right-back, joining Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw in the back four.
Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst are expected to lead the United attack, while David de Gea will mann the goalpost.
In the middle of the park, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandez are expected to start. It is still unclear whether Erik Ten Hag will hand new loan signing from Bayern Munich Marcel Sabitzer a debut after he watched Man United’s EFL Cup win over N’Forest from the stands.
Jadon Sancho returned to the team in the game against Nottingham Forest after missing action for months following fitness issues. Ten Hag may likely field him against the Eagles.
Wilfried Zaha will miss a return to Old Trafford after being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Also ruled out of the Man United game for Palace are James McArthur (groin) and Nathan Ferguson (foot) in the treatment room.
Patrick Vieira may likely start Olise, Jeffery Schlupp of Eberechi Eze in the attack due to the injury of Wilfred Zaha.
It is still unclear whether Vieira will hand new deadline-day signings Naouirou Ahamada and Albert Sambi Lokonga a debut against the Red Devils.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Clyne, Richards, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Edouard, Aye
Prediction
Manchester United will hope to secure all three points against the visitors after settling for a disappointing 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. The match will end in a 3-1 victory for the home team.
Leave a Reply