Two wins and 10 goals from their last two games means that for once the atmosphere around Manchester United is relatively buoyant, no matter that those triumphs came against a likely relegation contender and a League One opponent. A trip to Crystal Palace could well bring Erik ten Hag crashing down to earth, certainly it has of late with two of United’s last three visits to Selhurst Park ending in defeat, the other a draw.
Palace have started the new season slowly and were made to sweat in their EFL Cup win at Queens Park Rangers. However Oliver Glasner’s side have the sort of dynamism and aggression that can create all sorts of issues for United. Will they get another big result against the Red Devils this weekend? Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Viewing information
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Selhurst Park — London
- TV: NBC | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Crystal Palace +180; Draw +270; Manchester United +140
Team news
Crystal Palace: Numbers in defense are light after the transfer window, all the more so given that Chadi Riad is out with a knee issue and his fellow new signing Trevoh Chalobah has been pronounced doubtful. Cheickh Doucoure is also expected to be missing only a few weeks after coming back from a major achilles injury.
Possible Palace XI: Henderson; Clyne, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Kamada, Eze; Mateta
Manchester United: There is cause for hope that both Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund will be able to feature at Old Trafford, at least in some capacity, after returning to training this week. Luke Shaw is also approaching a return, but this game will likely come too soon for the left back, though Diego Dalot’s good form means that might not be too much of an issue. Further up the pitch, Ten Hag has welcome headaches with Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho in good form, Marcus Rashford also having got back among the goals against Southampton.
Possible United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Prediction
Palace are a better team than their record suggests, United are about the sort of team theirs suggests. This could be close. PICK: Crystal Palace 1, Manchester United 1
