Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: The Preview

Manchester United will look to win three games on the bounce in all competitions when they travel down to the capital to take on Crystal Palace in the Saturday evening kick-off of the Premier League weekend. The Red Devils will be looking to avenge the 4-0 defeat in May of last season against the Eagles. Meanwhile, our opponents are seeking their first win of the league campaign having collected two points out of the first four games.

United’s start to the 2024/25 campaign has been a mixed bag as losses against Brighton and then Liverpool put manager Erik Ten Hag under pressure again before the international break. It appears we have turned a corner as we are in a confident mood following two consecutive wins with a 3-0 victory over Southampton last weekend. Midweek saw thrash Barnsley 7-0 to progress to the fourth round of the league cup.

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have three goals in the last two games and will be looking to continue their form heading into the weekend. They scored two goals against Barnsley whilst Christian Eriksen got a brace and Antony was on the scoresheet to cruise through in style. However, we should not be getting too carried away but two successive wins have given Ten Hag’s side a much-needed boost going into a busy round of fixtures with five games scheduled over 16 days.

The Red Devils are sitting 10th in the Premier League and going into the weekend they could have a better away record against London clubs. We have only won two out of the last 16 away Premier League games in the capital.

Manchester United Team News

For United, Victor Lindelof (toe), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (calf) and Leny Yoro (foot) remain in the treatment room as they continue to recover from their injuries. There is also good news on the injury front as both Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount have returned to training. Ten Hag confirmed it will be a late call on whether both will be fit to make the squad on the weekend.

With eight changes made during the League Cup against Barnsley, it is expected that Ten Hag will go back to the same side that won against Southampton with Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee all pushing to be back in the starting eleven.

Manchester United Possible Lineup

Onana; 

Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot;

Ugarte, Mainoo; 

Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford;

Zirkzee

Opposition Preview

Crystal Palace are one of six teams in the Premier League not to secure a win yet in the current campaign. Oliver Glasner’s side have only collected two points from their opening four games with draws against Leicester City and Chelsea.

The Eagles were defeated in their first two games at the hands of Brentford and West Ham. They drew 1-1 at Chelsea before the international break before they had to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Leicester City last weekend. Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi had given the Foxes control of the games with their goals. Jean-Philippe Mateta then hit two goals in the second half which included a 92nd minute equaliser to rescue a point for Palace.

Midweek saw Glasner’s side progress to the fourth round of the League Cup after winning 2-1 against Queens Park Rangers with goals from Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze. They have looked in this competition having beaten Norwich in the last round by 4-0. They will be hoping to take that form into the league and did beat United home and away last season.

Crystal Palace Team News

The Eagles are without long term absentees Chadi Riad (knee) and Matheus Franca (broken rib). A late call will be made on Trevor Chalobah (abdominal) who is due to be assessed before the game having missed out on 2-2 draw against Leicester City. Maxence Lacroix who has started the last two games is set to keep their place in the back three alongside captain Marc Guehi. Nathaniel Clyne and Chris Richards will either occupy that last centre back position.

Adam Wharton and Cheick Doucoure are likely to come back into the midfield with Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma dropping down to the bench. Eddie Nketiah will line up in the attack with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Form Guide

Manchester United Premier League form: WLLW

Manchester United form (all competitions): WLLWW

Crystal Palace Premier League form: LLDD

Crystal Palace form (all competitions): LWDDW

Prediction

Selhurst Park has been a tricky place for the Reds having not won in the last four seasons there. Crystal Palace are looking for their first win of the Premier League campaign so no doubt will be up for it being on their home ground. United will look to avenge the humiliation they received last season having lost 4-0 and hopefully come away from the capital with all three points.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United