Manchester United face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park
Manchester United and Crystal Palace go head-to-head on Saturday, 21st September, on matchday five of the Premier League at 17:30 local time at Selhurst Park. The Red Devils were thumped 4-0 by the Eagles on their last visit to south London which occurred just four months back in May this year.
United have rebuilt significantly since then while Palace have lost their talisman Michael Olise in the summer. Nevertheless, it will be a difficult away trip for Erik ten Hag’s men as they bid to secure their third successive victory within a week’s time having seen off Southampton and Barnsley in the previous two outings.
The win over Barnsley was United’s best performance so far but there are bound to be several changes to the team for Saturday’s encounter. Meanwhile, the hosts also had an EFL Cup commitment midweek which they emerged successfully out of with a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers.
Team News
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are expected to be without three players for the visit of Man United. Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca and Trevoh Chalobah are all injured. There are no suspensions in Oliver Glasner’s squad.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in Palace’s 4-0 win over Ten Hag’s side last season and will be in the squad. He is the home side’s top scorer this season with two strikes in the Premier League and will be a threat going forward this time too. Eberechi Eze is also likely to start and possesses just as much of a threat as Mateta if not more.
PREDICTED CRYSTAL PALACE XI (3-4-1-2): Henderson; Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne; Munoz, Wharton, Doucoure, Mitchell; Eze; Nketiah, Mateta
Manchester United
Manchester United’s injury problems are gradually starting to get better with Erik ten Hag confirming Mason Mount’s and Rasmus Hojlund’s return to training. It remains to be seen whether both of last year’s signings are called up for the Crystal Palace although no risks will be taken with their fitness given that there’s a long season ahead.
Leny Yoro, Luka Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof remain sidelined. Manuel Ugarte started his first match for United since joining from PSG against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup but it is yet to be determined if he is sharp enough for Premier League action, particularly against a very difficult opponent.
Marcus Rashford has scored thrice in his last two outings and will start on the left flank, whereas Alejandro Garnacho could replace Amad Diallo on the right side after scoring and assisting twice in the midweek game.
PREDICTED MAN UNITED XI: Onana; Mazroaui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Key stats
- Crystal Palace did the double over Manchester United for the very first time in their history last season in the Premier League by beating the Red Devils at Old Trafford as well as at Selhurst Park.
- In spite of winning twice against United in 2023/24, the Eagles have won just six Premier League matches against Saturday’s opposition, losing nearly three times as many, 16 to be precise.
Match-defining battle
Marcus Rashford vs Nathaniel Clyne
Nathaniel Clyne has been among the worse Crystal Palace players this season and it will not be a surprise if Erik ten Hag uses his man in form, Marcus Rashford, to exploit the former Liverpool defender down United’s left flank.
The forward is in great form and how he squares up against Clyne will be a decisive factor in the game’s result. Rashford will be expected to continue his scoring run on the road and a differential performance against Palace would go a long way in improving his confidence for the season.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester United
Crystal Palace are potent offensively while United’s defence continues to lack chemistry. A win against Southampton is not enough to make fans oblivious to the visible cracks in their squad.
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Having scored 10 goals in their last two outings, however, the Red Devils should have enough firepower to secure at least a draw in London but an extraordinary defensive display could lay the foundation for them to win all three points.
