After an incredibly disappointing performance, the result at home to struggling Sunderland on Monday evening left Palace level with Leicester City but just outside the bottom three.
The Eagles wait for their first win in five and it will require a big upset if they want to buck that trend this weekend as they travel to the alleged ‘Theatre Of Dreams’. History does not favour Palace having not won at Old Trafford since December 1989, almost twenty five years ago. Overall Palace have only won twice away to United in seventeen attempts.
Dutchman Louis Van Gaal has had a slightly inauspicious start as the boss of the twenty times Premier League champions. He is at exactly the same point that David Moyes was in last season which has frustrated United fans. They have not seen their team make any progress this season even with £150m spent in the summer.
Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera are just a few of the new faces in at Old Trafford. However, criticism has come the way of van Gaal due to the lack of defensive options that United have in their ranks with youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett surprisingly making Premier League debuts in recent weeks.
United will still be stinging from losing to their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City after the ten men Reds lost by a single goal. Former Fulham defender Chris Smalling gave City a big advantage as Sergio Aguero bagged the winner shortly after his sending off. Smalling was blasted by his manager as being stupid for the challenge that resulted in his second yellow card.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Mile Jedinak will miss his second ever Premier League game for the Eagles following the red card against Sunderland. James McArthur is set to return to the starting line-up to replace the Aussie skipper alongside Joe Ledley in the heart of the midfield. Damien Delaney missed the defeat to Sunderland due to illness but is likely to make the trip north which will give Neil Warnock a big boost with his defensive options. Wilfried Zaha is ineligible against his parent club.
Manchester United – van Gaal has a serious defensive problems with Chris Smalling suspended and Marcos Rojo injured. Dutchman Daley Blind is expected to start in his more favoured centre back position but van Gaal may be forced to re-introduce his 3-5-2 formation that he heavily favoured at the World Cup with Holland but United have struggled in its transition so far in the Premier League. Rafael is set to miss this one but Radamel Falcao looks to return to the fold after only bagging one goal so far this season. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans remain on the injury list but Michael Carrick may be an option at centre back.
Analysis and Predictions
Prediction for United – 7th
Manchester United were under a lot of scrutiny last season as David Moyes failed to follow on from Sir Alex Ferguson’s success. It ended up in his sacking after just the one season at the helm so more pressure was heaped upon his successor in former Holland boss Louis Van Gaal. He led the Netherlands to a third place finish in the World Cup hosted by Brazil. The season has not really got off to the start that he promised United fans after his appointment in June. However, their aim to get back into European competition appears to be slipping away with confident performances from Southampton and West Ham United. They could fall short again unless van Gaal asks for a new back four for Christmas.
EPL Index prediction – home win
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson prediction – home win
Who Scored prediction – home win
My prediction – home win
