Manchester United return to Old Trafford for Matchweek 3 of the 2019-20 Premier League season to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Red Devils will be disappointed by Monday night’s result against Wolves and will view it as a chance missed to go atop the Premier League table.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will face a Palace side that lost their last game to newly-promoted Sheffield United and are yet to score in this Premier League season.
EARLY TEAM NEWS
Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain out while Alexis Sanchez is unlikely to play any part.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER UNITED LINEUP vs CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea had a decent game against Wolves, and he was not at fault for the goal scored by Ruben Neves, as it was a perfectly hit shot that no goalkeeper in the world could have saved. He will start in goal for United on Saturday.
Defence
We could see an unchanged Manchester United defence for the game against Crystal Palace with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire starting as the two centre backs, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw playing at right-back and left-back, respectively. Wan-Bissaka had a great game against Wolves and has settled into the United team pretty quickly.
Midfield
Paul Pogba could have sealed all three points for Manchester United on Monday, but his missed penalty resulted in the English club having to settle for a draw. He had a decent game against Wolves, and helped United win the penalty. He will start alongside Scott McTominay once again against Crystal Palace.
We could see Jesse Lingard replaced as the English international has had little influence in the team’s attack this season. Juan Mata could be brought in his place for the game against Crystal Palace.
Attack
No changes in attack for Manchester United as Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Daniel James are most likely set to start in attack. Rashford could start from the left, but will eventually play centrally, in and around Manchester United’s No. 9, Anthony Martial. James, who looked lively at times against Wolves, will start from the right, and will probably have a lot more opportunities as United will be playing against a Crystal Palace lineup bereft of any confidence at the moment.
Solskjaer gambled big time to put his faith in Rashford and Martial. In real footballing sense those two lads should be becoming of age now. But i still sense a disturbing weakness in Rashford. He sparks on all four cylinders when the going is good as evidenced in the first half of the Wolves game. He was marvellous. But as soon as Neves scored the equalising goal his zeal broke. He stopped hustling and started shooting for goal from midfield instead of building up the attack. This is like condemning your team to permanent defense. The coach should have substituting him from that point for lack of morale. He needs mental toughness. The coach should work on that.