Jose Mourinho is desperate to get the domestic season over with as is evident from all his latest press conferences, as the Red Devils prepare for the massive Europa League final against Dutch side Ajax. The game against Crystal Palace has already been discarded by the Portuguese gaffer as unimportant with Sam Allardyce having the golden chance of getting a win at Old Trafford and improve Palace’s horrible record at the venue.
Team News
Manchester United- We expect some new faces from the Manchester United camp as the coach has already indicated. The ones likely to get a chance in the first team could be among the likes of Joel Pereira, Demi Mitchell, Matty Willock, Josh Harrop and Zak Dearnley. Paul Pogba could also feature.
Apart from that, Manchester United’s frustratingly long injury list includes Marouane Fellaini with a hamstring, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo with knee injuries, Tim Fosu-Mensah with a shoulder injury and Luke Shaw with a foot injury. Apart from them Ashley Young and Chris Smalling are also sidelines but their problems are unknown.
Crystal Palace- Sam Allardyce also has a long injury list at his disposal. The Eagles face a huge problem at the back with Scot Dann, James Tomkins and Ward also doubtful for the fixture. Midfielder Yohan Cabaye is also a doubt with a foot injury. Playing all full-backs against City was a disaster, which was to some extent controlled against Sunderland last weekend.
Apart from the doubts, the long-term absentees remain the same- Mamadou Sakho with a knee injury, Andros Townsend with Achilles, Papa N’Diaye Souaré with leg, and Connor Wickham with a knee injury.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester United- Pereira; Darmian, Tuanzebe, Blind, Mitchell; Carrick, McTominay; Mata, Pogba, Dearnley, Martial
Crystal Palace- Hennessey; Schlupp, Tomkins, Kelly, Ward; Puncheon, Milivojevic, McArthur; Aanholt, Benteke, Zaha
Key Players
Manchester United- United definitely lacks much of their edge at the back as well as midfield to provide quality ball up front and Mourinho will further make sure to prove his point by fielding a weaker side with Champions League qualification chances pretty much gone through the league. Paul Pogba will get a practice game where he can flex his muscles before the massive finale at Stockholm. Anthony Martial can cause problems with his pace.
Crystal Palace- Palace have a lot of quality goal getters in Christian Benteke, Wilfred Zaha and Patrick van Aanholt, and United’s defence would expect a busy day.
Betting Odds
Manchester United @ 2.80
Draw @ 3.30
Crystal Palace @ 2.75
