Manchester United will seek to secure their third successive victory in all competitions when they visit Selhurst Park to confront Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Red Devils aim to avenge their significant 4-0 defeat to the Eagles at Selhurst Park in May of the previous season.
Crystal Palace is one of six Premier League clubs who remain without a victory after four matches this season, having garnered only two points from draws against Chelsea and Leicester City.
Following defeats in their initial two Premier League matches against Brentford and West Ham United, Palace secured a commendable point with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea before the international break, before rallying to achieve a 2-2 home draw against Leicester last weekend.
Goals by Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi originally positioned the Foxes advantageously; however, Jean-Philippe Mateta regained his scoring form with a second-half brace, culminating in a 92nd-minute equalizer from the penalty spot, so securing a draw for the Eagles.
Glasner’s team has secured advancement to the fourth round of the EFL Cup by defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road on Tuesday night, with goals from summer acquisition Eddie Nketiah and former Hoops player Eberechi Eze occurring on either side of halftime.
Palace have demonstrated commendable performance in the EFL Cup this season, notably defeating Norwich City 4-0 at home in the second round. They aspire to replicate this form in the Premier League, commencing with Saturday’s match against Manchester United, a team they triumphed over both at home and away last season with an aggregate score of 5-0.
Manchester United’s commencement of the 2024-25 season was suboptimal, as consecutive Premier League defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool intensified scrutiny on manager Erik ten Hag as the international break approached.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils have recently seen a turnaround and are in high spirits after securing victories in their previous two matches with a cumulative score of 10-0, after a 3-0 Premier League triumph against Southampton last weekend and a resounding 7-0 defeat of Barnsley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho each netted three goals in the two games, including two goals apiece against League One team Barnsley. Additionally, Christian Eriksen (two goals) and Antony contributed to the scoreline, facilitating Manchester United’s advancement to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
Manchester United supporters should refrain from excessive enthusiasm regarding victories over a third-tier team and a newly-promoted Premier League club; however, consecutive wins have provided Ten Hag’s squad with a crucial morale enhancement in anticipation of a demanding schedule, featuring five matches within a 16-day span in both the Premier League and Europa League.
Positioned 10th in the Premier League standings, Manchester United approaches Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace with a poor away record against London teams, having secured only two victories in their last 16 Premier League encounters, and suffering as many defeats (10) in the capital since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement as they did in 118 such matches during the esteemed manager’s 26-year reign.
Crystal Palace will be missing long-term injury absentees Chadi Riad (knee) and Matheus Franca (broken rib), while Trevoh Chalobah (abdominal) will undergo evaluation before to kickoff after being absent from last weekend’s draw with Leicester.
Acquisition made during the summer transfer window Maxence Lacroix has begun Palace’s last two matches and is poised to maintain his position in the back three with captain Marc Guehi, while Nathaniel Clyne and Chris Richards contend for the third centre-back position.
Adam Wharton and Cheick Doucoure are anticipated to be reinstated in midfield, replacing Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma, while Nketiah may once more collaborate with Eze and Mateta in the attack.
Victor Lindelof (toe), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (calf), and Leny Yoro (foot) are all unavailable for Manchester United as they recuperate from injuries.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils have received a boost with the return to training of Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount, as Ten Hag has indicated that a final decision will be made over their fitness to begin this weekend.
Following eight alterations midweek, Ten Hag is anticipated to restore a lineup comparable to that which triumphed against Southampton, with Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee all vying for reinstatement.
Potential starting lineup for Crystal Palace: Henderson; Clyne, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Doucoure, Mitchell; Eze; Nketiah, Mateta
Potential starting lineup for Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
