Marcus Rashford will return, while Marcel Sabitzer will make his Manchester United debut against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Manchester United will aim to continue the three-game winning run when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. And Erik ten Hag does not have any new concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Christian Eriksen is the most notable absentee for Manchester United due to an ankle injury. The Danish midfielder is accompanying Diogo Dalot, Scott McTominay, and Donny van de Beek in the treatment room. In addition, Jack Butland is ineligible to face parent club Crystal Palace.
But ten Hag will have new signing Marcel Sabitzer at his disposal on Saturday. And the Dutchman confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the Austrian midfielder would be available. In addition, ten Hag also spoke about how well Sabitzer has adapted to the new conditions.
He said, “Very good. Of course, he did only one session but you can see he’s a very fit player. I didn’t have a different expectation. He’s coming from Bayern Munich. German [clubs] they are always [about] fitness, [it’s] always good.”
“So, he is [fit]. So, I think he is ready to play. I think he’s a really smart player. I think we gave him some guidance but I think he knows what to do, he knows the job, so he could do [start].”
Sabitzer might not start, as ten Hag tends to give new signings time to settle down. But he will appear off the bench to make his Manchester United debut on Saturday. So Casemiro and Fred will pair up in the double pivot in the middle of the park.
Bruno Fernandes will be the most advanced midfielder for Manchester United. The Portuguese international will also don the armband for the hosts. Meanwhile, Antony and Marcus Rashford should be the two wide attackers, with Alejandro Garnacho making way for the latter.
Wout Weghorst should spearhead the attacking unit against Crystal Palace. So Anthony Martial will be an option on the bench again this weekend. The Frenchman will join Jadon Sancho and Sabitzer as a substitute later in the game.
The defensive unit will unlikely see a change. So Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez should form the central defensive partnership. And Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be the two full-backs for the Red Devils. Finally, David de Gea will take his usual spot between the sticks this weekend.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
