Premier League: Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Preview

by
Former Writers
August 23, 2019

Photo Credit to ManUtd via Twitter

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Preview

United host Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace after both teams experienced bad results last time out.

Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Network: NBCSN
Location: Manchester, England, UK
Venue: Old Trafford
Capacity: 76,000

Last Time Out

Manchester United will return to Old Trafford this Saturday after letting the three points slip, away to Wolves. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s men had the majority of the control in Monday’s draw but could not hold on as Ruben Neves equalized ten minutes after half time, with VAR confirming the goal. Welsh winger Daniel James made his first Premier League start for the Red Devils and proved a threat with his blistering pace. Paul Pogba won a penalty on the 68^th minute but failed to execute after a top class save from Rui Patricio. Overall, United felt hard done by and now turn their attention to Crystal Palace.

Palace, who kept a hold of attacker Wilfried Zaha over the summer have put in two uninspiring performances so far. Their latest result away to Sheffield United ended in a 1-0 loss for the Eagles as their quality of play is a cause for concern. In what turned to be a feisty affair at Bramall Lane, Palace were never at the level expected of them as key players like Zaha, Milivojevic and Andros Townsend were marked out of the game. German prospect Max Meyer failed to make any impression during the game and was justifiably substituted first on the 65^th minute.

Ones To Watch

In front of the Stretford End, expect Pogba to rise up to the occasion this coming weekend. On the back of a disappointing result and a penalty miss, Pogba will undoubtedly look to run the proceedings and against a weak Palace team, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. With 13 goals and nine assists, Pogba finished United’s top goal scorer and assist maker last season. While this may be to do with the lack of attacking quality last year, Pogba needs to be supported better by his teammates up the field.

The £80 million-rated Wilfried Zaha has been somewhat a shadow of his former self after his Deadline Day deal to Everton fell through. In Sunday’s matchup against Sheffield United, it was clear Chris Wilder’s men were instructed to swarm all supply to the Ivorian who failed to display any of the form that he displayed last campaign. Whether he is still hungover from the African Cup of Nations or is discontent with non-departure from Selhurst Park, Zaha needs to get firing on all cylinders soon. In front of his ex-club’s home crowd, Zaha will relish the opportunity to show what his former employers could have had.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Facts and Figures

Manchester United are unbeaten in 17 games in 90 minutes in all competitions against Crystal Palace, a run spanning way back to 2004.
In five out of the last six meetings between the two teams, United have managed to score two or more goals.
Crystal Palace have failed to score in their last six trips to Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace need to get a positive result at Old Trafford after their disappointing start to the season. Yet, it is a tough ask to do so against a youthful and rejuvenated Manchester United side that will look to take maximum points after losing two of them at Wolves last Monday. Back at Old Trafford, Solksjaer will get his guys motivated as they look to assert themselves as a serious top four contender throughout this season.

Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace