For some Manchester United fans, the end of the Premier League season can’t come quick enough.
Erik ten Hag’s side are not going to be competing in next season’s Champions League because of a real lack of consistency, and it feels like a real turnover in personnel is needed to deliver the change the Dutchman has continually called for.
First though, there’s the small matter of beating in-form Crystal Palace, who picked up results just when they needed them to pull away from the relegation zone.
In Jean-Philippe Mateta, Palace have one of the Premier League’s sharpest shooters of late, and you can rarely take your eyes of the talented duo of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze – both players who have taken the interest of United’s scouting department.
What could follow is a fun Monday night encounter in south London.
Where to watch Crystal Palace vs Man Utd
- United States (USA Network, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com)
- Canada (fuboTV)
- United Kingdom (Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky GO)
Crystal Palace team news
Palace should be able to call on Eze and center-back Marc Guehi, another United transfer target who has been out injured for the best part of two months.
There’s no such luck for Cheick Doucoure. Sam Johnstone, Rob Holding and Matheus Franca though, with the quartet in no condition to take part at Selhurst Park.
The impressive Adam Wharton should continue in central midfield, providing the energy and spark for the talented trio ahead of him to do their thing against a United defence who like to ensure their goalkeeper Andre Onana has plenty to do.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup: Henderson; Munoz, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Wharton, Hughes; Olise, Mateta, Eze.
Man Utd team news
Ten Hag pointed to United’s terrible injury record in a recent interview, when asked why he’s not been able to deliver the same level of resullst achieved in his first season in charge.
The casualty room is as full as ever heading into the final few games, with the list of unavailable defenders pretty staggering. Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Willy Kambwala are all out, with veteran Jonny Evans also not in great shape.
Further forward there’s likely to be no Marcus Rashford, while doubts remain over how just fit midfield duo Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay are.
Man Utd predicted lineup: Onana; Dalot, Evans, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Crystal Palace vs Man Utd prediction
There’s rarely a dull moment watching Manchester United and it should be a pretty even game that’s contested on Monday night.
Palace have stepped up their game to move away from danger and are playing far more freely under the management of Oliver Glasner. They will fancy their chances of raining shots down on Onana’s goal, putting the Cameroonian further in the spotlight.
United can be sharp at the other end when they want to be, and with a fifth-place finish still possible because of Tottenham’s recent poor form, they should have enough in the tank to reply and take home at least a point.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Man Utd
