Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford this afternoon looking to make it four successive victories.

The Red Devils advanced into the last 16 of the Europa League in midweek after a well-earned 2-0 away win at FCSB.

Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw are unavailable though the latter is likely to be reintroduced into the fold in due course.

Promising Danish youngster Patrick Dorgu’s move from Lecce is close to completion but won’t be finalised in time for the weekend. Marcus Rashford has been exiled from the matchday squads and is expected to move before the window closes, with Aston Villa particularly interested.

Meanwhile, Palace will be desperate to respond after a disheartening home loss to London rivals Brentford last Sunday.

Oliver Glasner will be without the services of influential figure Eberechi Eze for this trip to Manchester. The Palace talisman has been left out of the squad after dealing with an ongoing issue over the last few weeks.

Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad’s seasons are over after sustaining substantial knee injuries. However, the Eagles have been boosted by Matheus Franca and Adam Wharton’s involvement in training and the arrival of Romain Esse.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news

Form

Manchester United: WLWWW

United avoided defeat in Europe again to end the league phase in third position and unbeaten.

The Red Devils picked up their fifth win in the Europa League on Thursday with a professional 2-0 victory over Romanian outfit FCSB.

Second-half goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo confirmed their spot in the last 16.

Ruben Amorim will be delighted his team built upon their slender away victory against Fulham last weekend. It has been a positive start to the calendar year with only one loss in seven matches in all competitions.

Crystal Palace: DWWWL

Palace’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end against Brentford last Sunday. Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade punished the Eagles’ tentative approach at Selhurst Park. January signing Romain Esse halved the deficit on his debut late on, but the lead proved too sizeable to overturn.

Prior to their defeat to the Bees, Oliver Glasner’s side hadn’t lost since their 5-1 humiliation at home to Arsenal in mid-December.

Since that humbling encounter, they have progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup and beaten West Ham and Leicester on their travels.

Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United, Premier League, 21st September 2024

The reverse fixture back in September ended goalless as neither side could find the breakthrough at Selhurst Park.

Both goalkeepers were largely responsible for the absence of goals, as the stoppers were in inspired form.

Dean Henderson made the first stop of the evening as he denied Alejandro Garnacho, who had penetrated the Palace defence.

Matthijs de Ligt rose highest from the resulting corner but Henderson was the hosts’ saviour once again.

United then struck the woodwork twice in quick succession. Garnacho’s curled effort hit the crossbar before Bruno Fernandes’s effort on the rebound clipped a similar spot.

In the second period, Lisandro Martinez was perhaps fortunate to escape severe punishment for a two-footed challenge that barely missed Daichi Kamada. Referee David Coote awarded a yellow card and sought no further action.

After Henderson’s heroics in the first half, Andre Onana kept his side in the game with an impressive double stop. The Cameroonian dived low to save Eddie Nketiah’s drilled effort before reacting swiftly to smother Ismalia Sarr’s attempt.

Eberechi Eze missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the latter stages to win the game. The midfielder tried to place the ball into the bottom corner but missed the target by mere inches.

Predicted Lineups

Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Fernandes, Ugarte; Amad, Mainoo, Zirkzee.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Clyne, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Lerma; Sarr, Esse, Mateta.

Who is the referee?

John Brooks will be the match official. Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan will assist him while Ben Toner will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Craig Pawson and he will be assisted by Neil Davies.

What TV channel is Manchester United vs Crystal Palace on?

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace will not be televised in the United Kingdom.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 14:00 GMT on Sunday 2nd February 2025.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Match Odds

Manchester United: 10/11

Draw: 5/2

Crystal Palace: 16/5

Read – The fastest goals ever scored in the Premier League as Doucoure makes history

See more – Unai Emery discusses Aston Villa transfer plans amid Marcus Rashford links

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok