When Manchester United visits Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday night, they’ll be looking to win their third straight game overall.
The Eagles defeated the Red Devils 4-0 at Selhurst Park in May of last year, and the Red Devils will be looking for payback.
After four games this season, Crystal Palace is one of six Premier League teams still without a win. Oliver Glasner’s team has only managed two points from draws against Chelsea and Leicester City.
Prior to the international break, Palace managed a solid point in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea after losing their first two top-flight games to Brentford and West Ham United. Then, last weekend, they overcame a 2-2 home tie with Leicester by coming from behind once more.
The Foxes had taken the lead thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi, but Jean-Philippe Mateta found his shooting form again in the second half, scoring twice, including a penalty kick equalizer in the 92nd minute, to give the Eagles a draw.
Since then, Glasner’s team has advanced to the fourth round of the EFL Cup after defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road on Tuesday. Goals from former Hoops standout Eberechi Eze and summer recruit Eddie Nketiah either side of halftime have sealed the victory.
Palace will look to carry over its strong performance in the EFL Cup this season—they defeated Norwich City 4-0 at home in the second round—into the Premier League, beginning on Saturday with a matchup against Man United, a team they defeated 5-0 overall both at home and away from last season.
Man United’s 2024–25 season got off to a less than ideal start, as manager Erik ten Hag was once again under pressure after the team lost two straight Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool before the international break.
After winning their last two games by an overall score of 10-0, the Red Devils have since turned the wheel and are in a positive frame of mind. They crushed Barnsley 7-0 in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, capping off a 3-0 Premier League victory at Southampton the previous weekend.
Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford all scored three goals in the two wins, including two goals apiece against Barnsley, a League One team. Christian Eriksen and Antony also scored two goals apiece, helping Man United easily advance to the EFL Cup fourth round.
Man United supporters shouldn’t get too excited about their team’s victories over a lower division team and a recently promoted Premier League team, but these victories have given Ten Hag’s team much-needed confidence ahead of a demanding schedule that includes five top flight and Europa League games in a 16-day span.
Currently ranked tenth in the Premier League standings, Man United enters their match against Crystal Palace on Saturday with a miserable away record against London teams. They have only won two of their previous sixteen Premier League games, and they have lost as many away from home (10 games) since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement as they had in 118 away games under the legendary manager’s 26-year tenure.
Long-term injured players Chadi Riad (knee) and Matheus Franca (broken rib) will not play for Crystal Palace, and Trevoh Chalobah (abdominal) will be evaluated prior to kickoff after missing the team’s tie with Leicester the previous weekend.
Summertime acquisition Maxence Lacroix, who has started Palace’s previous two games, is expected to stay in the back three alongside captain Marc Guehi, with Chris Richards and Nathaniel Clyne vying for the third center-back position.
Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma are anticipated to be recalled in midfield in favor of Adam Wharton and Cheick Doucoure, while Nketiah may once more combine with Eze and Mateta in attack.
Regarding Man United, Tyrell Malacia (knee), Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), and Victor Lindelof (toe) are still out due to injury.
Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount’s return to the training field has helped the Red Devils, though Ten Hag has stated that a final decision will be made over their suitability to play this weekend.
Ten Hag is anticipated to go back to the team that defeated Southampton following eight changes in midweek. Players pressing for recall include Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee.
Henderson; Clyne, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Doucoure, Mitchell; Eze; Nketiah, Mateta are possible starting lineup options for Crystal Palace.
Possible starting lineup for Manchester United: Onana; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo
