Manchester United will go in search of their sixth Premier League win on the bounce when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.
The Red Devils beat neighbours 2-1 Manchester City to claim the derby bragging rights, while Patrick Vieira’s side lost to London rivals Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. Four of the last five league games have ended in defeat for Crystal Palace, which leaves Vieira in desperate need to bounce back to winning ways against Erik ten Hag’s side.
Ten Hag’s men dropped down to fourth in the rankings on Sunday after Newcastle United won late against Fulham, but victory over Palace would be enough to lift them second for the time being. With that in mind, here are the key battles to watch out for between Crystal Palace and Man United.
#Wilfried Zaha vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wilfried Zaha has already scored three Premier League goals against his former employers Man United and would be raring to get himself on the scoresheet. With six goals in 17 league games, he is Palace’s top scorer and has undoubtedly been their best player so far this season.
Zaha, however, was ineffective as a No.9 in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea away on Sunday. As a result, Vieira could move the Ivory Coast international back to his original position on the left flank. Man United boss Erik ten Hag will want Aaron Wan-Bissaka to shut down Zaha.
Wan-Bissaka has deputised admirably well in Diogo Dalot’s injury absence at right-back, delivering a few eye-catching performances. He kept Phil Foden at bay in the Manchester derby before the City midfielder was substituted just three before the hour mark.
Zaha is one of the trickiest forwards in the Premier League, meaning that Wan-Bissaka has to be switched on to not let the Palace star get in behind.
#James Tomkins vs Wout Weghorst
Crystal Palace were dealt with a big blow on Sunday when Joachim Andersen was forced off with a calf problem in the first half against Chelsea. Andersen looks likely to miss out the Man United game and the Dane’s place in the Palace backline should be filled by James Tomkins.
Tomkins hasn’t had much game time this season and came on as a replacement for the injured Andersen against Chelsea for only his third league appearance. So, the Englishman will be a bit rusty should he start in midweek.
Man United are boosted by the likely availability of new striker Wout Weghorst, with the big Dutchman joining training with his teammates from Sunday. As Anthony Martial is doubtful after being taken off at half time against Man City, Ten Hag could hand Weghorst a start at Selhurst Park.
With his towering frame, physicality and aerial ability, Weghorst could cause all kinds of problems for the Palace backline. In Andersen’s absence, Tomkins will have the shoulder the responsibility of marshalling his troops from the back whilst keeping Weghorst at bay.
#Marcus Rashford vs Nathaniel Clyne
Marcus Rashford is the most in-form player in the Premier League and arguably across Europe, and the forward continued his fine form by inspiring Man United to a 2-1 victory over Man City. He scored for the ninth consecutive home game in all competitions to snatch a late win for the Red Devils in the Manchester derby, helping Ten Hag’s side to within a point of City.
Rashford took a whack to his hip in the first half but soldiered on until stoppage time. If he recovers fully, there is no reason as to why Ten Hag will not want to start Rashford. The man tasked with stopping Rashford will be Nathaniel Clyne.
Clyne has been a regular fixture at right-back for Palace this season. If he can shut down Rashford both in terms of goals scored and chances created, then Palace will go a long way toward getting a positive result against an in-form United side.