Donny van de Beek should come in for Scott McTominay, while Cristiano Ronaldo ought to start when Manchester United face off against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United will be aiming to kick off the Ralf Rangnick era on a winning note when they play hosts to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.
It will be the first game in charge for Rangnick, who has been named as the interim manager until the end of the ongoing campaign. Speaking in his first pre-match presser, the German talked about his plans for the team, saying: “I think it’s also obvious the team has an abundance of young talent, and enough experienced players in the squad, but the target for me is to bring more balance in the team.”
While he will look to impose his own ideas and tactics, considering that Rangnick has had just a couple of days to work with the squad, Manchester United could be set up similarly to what they did against Arsenal on Thursday night. However, he will have to make do without Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani for the game, while Luke Shaw remains a major doubt.
David de Gea will be the man between the sticks for the Red Devils. The Spaniard will be itching to bounce back after his gaffe in the midweek clash. Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire ought to continue at the heart of the defence, meaning Eric Bailly will stay on the bench yet again. With Shaw a doubt, Alex Telles should be retained at left-back while Diogo Dalot should start at right-back yet again.
Nemanja Matic, who missed the midweek game due to injury, was spotted in training but is unlikely to start when Crystal Palace come visiting. Instead, Fred should hold on to his place in the double pivot, although there could be a change of partners for the Brazilian, with Donny van de Beek likely to get the nod over Scott McTominay to add a bit more attacking impetus from the centre.
Bruno Fernandes, who made his 100th appearance for Manchester United on Thursday, is a nailed-on starter in the No. 10 role while both Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford ought to hold on to their spots on the right and left flanks, respectively. Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo should lead the line for the Red Devils against the Eagles.
There have been questions over how he can fit into Rangnick’s high-intensity system, and Rangnick addressed those concerns in his presser, saying: “You always have to adapt your style to suit the players you have, not vice-versa. Seeing Ronaldo at 36 in the second half; amazing, top professional. I have never seen anyone as fit at 36.”
“He is still a player who can still make the difference. How can we develop the whole team? It’s not just about him, so we need all of the players involved,” he added. Having bagged a match-winning double versus Arsenal, the Portuguese maverick will look to carry on in the same vein of form.
Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, van de Beek, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo.
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