Manchester United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Red Devils are looking to kickstart their season following their Manchester Derby loss prior to the international break.
Jose Mourinho’s team sit in eight place, 12 points behind league leaders Manchester City. The Premier League title race may be over for Manchester United, but they can still achieve Champions League football for next season. Currently, seven points separate them from fourth-place Tottenham.
Crystal Palace are 16th and only sit outside the relegation zone due to goal difference. The Eagles may find themselves in the bottom three at the end of the weekend depending on results elsewhere. Roy Hodgson’s team are winless in their last six games with five of those matches ending in losses. Crystal Palace have been anaemic in front of goal as they have scored just eight times. It is the second fewest goals in the Premier League. Fortunately for Crystal Palace, Manchester United’s defence is one of the worst Mourinho has ever assembled. The Red Devils have allowed 21 goals, the sixth most in the league. Despite posting a –1-goal difference, Manchester United have made a living on beating lower table sides. Mourinho’s Red Devils are flat track bullies and should get goals against Crystal Palace.
Manchester United have collected 10 of 15 points from home. They have tallied wins in their last two home games which came against Newcastle and Everton, respectively. Crystal Palace’s two wins have come on the road and they have frustrated opponents at times. The Eagles are in a difficult stretch currently having played Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham in succession.
The Red Devils have won all five of their most recent Premier League games against Crystal Palace. They have outscored the Eagles 13-3 during that time. Manchester United will finally have summer signing Diogo Dalot available for selection at the weekend. Luke Shaw will miss the fixture through suspension, which may move Ashley Young to left-back allowing Dalot to start on the right side.
Mourinho may have to shuffle his starting XI due to injuries and illnesses. Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof, and Marcus Rashford are all facing time out due to injury or illness. Martial is a major blow for Mourinho, if unavailable, as the Frenchman has been in fine form. He has scored six of Manchester United’s 20 goals which has accounted for 30 percent of Manchester United’s scoring.
Manchester United are undefeated in 35 of their last 38 games at Old Trafford. Saturday will see the Red Devils stretch that run to 36 games. Manchester United will defeat Crystal Palace and re-establish themselves as top four contenders.