Category: Premier League

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

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was handed a new suspended two-month ban from football on Thursday for further breaches of the Football Association's betting rules.

The Italian is already serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian Football Federation last October after betting on football matches when he was playing for Serie A giants AC Milan.

Tonali could have been banned for up to three years, but he admitted his guilt and co-operated with investigations to help reduce the severity of his punishment.

The 23-year-old joined Newcastle in a deal worth an estimated €70m last July, making him the most expensive Italian footballer of all time. But he played just 12 games in all competitions for the club before it was announced he was being investigated for illegal betting activity.

"Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA Betting Rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction," Newcastle announced in a club statement.

"As acknowledged by the FA in the independent Regulatory Commission's written reasons, the level of assistance Sandro has provided by self-referring and fully cooperating with a subsequent investigation is extraordinary and unprecedented.

"Sandro made full admissions as to his betting activity, and did so in circumstances where there was no other evidence to support misconduct proceedings.

"Sandro is continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club's full support and will continue to train with his teammates."

Tonali will be free to return to action on August 27, providing he doesn't commit any further betting offences, and consequently will play no part in Italy's Euro 2024 campaign this summer.

Manchester United want to permanently sell Mason Greenwood this summer but a return to the club has not been ruled out, reports claim.

The 22-year-old was sent out on loan to La Liga outfit Getafe last summer, with his United career all but over after he was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault in 2022. The charges were later dropped after the withdrawal of witnesses and new evidence coming to light meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction."

Greenwood has registered 16 goal contributions in 31 appearances for Getafe this season - ten goals and six assists - and has attracted interest from some of Europe's top teams.

The Times report that Juventus are among those eyeing a potential move for Greenwood, who United valued at between £30m and £40m last summer, at a time when he had been sidelined for the best part of 20 months.

It's reported that United will look to facilitate a permanent exit for Greenwood this summer, although it remains to be seen whether Juventus, or any other interested parties, are prepared to stump up a transfer fee that Getafe will almost certainly not be able to afford.

One that United will not do, ESPN state, is accept a reduced fee for Greenwood, making a return to Old Trafford a distinct possibility. The forward has one year remaining on his current contract, with the option to an extend by a further year.