Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Manchester United will look to build on the recent winning run when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Gameweek 7 of the 2023/24 Premier League season kicks off on Saturday with the game between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park. The action will then continue at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will host Crystal Palace for the second time this week.

Manchester United have struggled to hit the heights of the 2022/23 season in the early days of the new campaign. The Red Devils have been vulnerable at the back while having a non-existent midfield at times. But the last two games have provided cause for optimism, with Erik ten Hag’s men beating Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Speaking of Crystal Palace, the Eagles have blown hot and cold thus far this term. They have won two, drawn two, and lost two of their six Premier League games. Roy Hodgson has done a decent job in the ongoing campaign, inspiring solid performances from his players.

Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup third round earlier this week. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Manchester United

Erik ten Hag does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of seven first-team players.

The Dutch tactician has greeted some positive updates, with Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen likely to recover from their bouts with illness. But Sergio Reguilon (knock), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) remain on the sidelines.

In addition, Jadon Sancho has refused to make amends with ten Hag and will be unavailable. But there is some positive personnel update, with Antony resuming training after returning to Manchester amid his recent controversy. But the Brazilian international will not return to action before next week.

Martinez’s absence means Victor Lindelof should pair up with Raphael Varane at the heart of the Manchester United defence. Diogo Dalot is the only fit full-back. So, Sofyan Amrabat will feature as a left-back again to complete the backline ahead of Andre Onana.

As for the midfield unit, Hannibal Mejbri should get another chance to impress after producing a solid display in the EFL Cup tie on Tuesday. The Tunisian international will pair up with Casemiro in the double pivot.

Mason Mount was impressive in the EFL Cup tie on Tuesday and should feature on the right flank. He will form a dynamic partnership in the final third with Bruno Fernandes, allowing Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund to combine in the central areas.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Amrabat; Casemiro, Mejbri; Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Crystal Palace

Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Roy Hodgson has a few pressing issues hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Crystal Palace manager will be without nine first-team players on Saturday.

Odsonne Edouard is the latest absentee after last weekend’s Premier League action. The French striker has picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a few weeks.

He has joined Dean Henderson (thigh), James Tomkins (calf), Nathan Ferguson (thigh), Naouirou Ahamada (ankle), Jairo Riedewald (knock), Jefferson Lerma (thigh), Matheus Franca (back), and Michael Olise (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Sam Johnstone is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Crystal Palace lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi are the first-choice centre-backs, with Joel Ward and Tyrick Mitchell taking their spots on the flanks.

As for the midfield unit, Will Hughes and Cheick Doucoure will pair up in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, aiming to keep Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount quiet.

Edouard’s absence means Jean-Philippe Mateta picks himself as the central striker. Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp will be the two wide attackers, with the duo being direct in the final third. Finally, Eberechi Eze will complete the numbers, with the Englishman looking to pull the strings in the final third.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure; Ayew, Eze, Schlupp; Mateta

Key Stats

• Manchester United have won just four of their last 10 top-flight meetings with Crystal Palace, drawing three and losing three. Meanwhile, the Eagles are unbeaten in their previous three Premier League visits to Old Trafford under Roy Hodgson (W2 D1), winning the last two.
• Manchester United are unbeaten in 15 Premier League home fixtures against London opposition, winning the last eight.
• Crystal Palace have only won three of their most recent 14 away league fixtures, drawing three and losing eight.
• The Eagles are one of just two teams, along with Luton, yet to score in the first half of a Premier League game this season, attempting 35 shots in the opening 45 minutes of matches without a goal.
• Marcus Rashford has scored just four times in his past 17 Premier League appearances, with each strike coming against London opposition.

Player to Watch

Marcus Rashford

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Rashford has not hit the heights of the 2022/23 season thus far in the new campaign. A talismanic figure for Manchester United last term, he has struggled to consistently find the back of the net. As iterated earlier, the English international has only four goals in his most recent 17 Premier League outings.

Meanwhile, Rashford’s sub-par performances have attracted criticism from pundits. So, he has a point to prove in the upcoming games. And as the fixture list brings relatively easier games, the 25-year-old needs to rediscover top form to guide Manchester United to a positive run of results.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace

Erik ten Hag played a largely second-string side in the EFL Cup third round, with almost every player making an impression. So, as the regulars return to action on Saturday, they need to stamp their authority or face pressure from the next set of players.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will have a more solid defensive unit, making things difficult for the Manchester United attack. Nonetheless, the hosts should have enough quality to come through with three points on Saturday. With the bench having more firepower, we predict Manchester United to edge Crystal Palace 2-1 this weekend.