Crystal Palace – Manchester United - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. History: Crystal Palace and Manchester United have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to their first meeting in 1907. The two clubs have faced each other over 50 times in various competitions, with Manchester United holding the upper hand in terms of wins.
- 2. Recent form: Crystal Palace have had a mixed start to the season, with two wins and two losses in their first four matches. Manchester United, on the other hand, have started the season strongly with three wins and one draw.
- 3. Key players: Crystal Palace will be relying on their star player Wilfried Zaha to lead the attack against Manchester United. The Ivorian forward has been in fine form this season, scoring three goals in four matches. Manchester United will be looking towards their talismanic midfielder Bruno Fernandes to provide the creativity and goals in midfield.
- 4. Managerial battle: The match will see a tactical battle between Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Both managers will be looking to outwit each other and secure the three points for their respective teams.
- 5. Injury concerns: Crystal Palace will be without the services of defender Nathan Ferguson and midfielder Michael Olise due to injuries. Manchester United, on the other hand, will be missing the likes of Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, and Dean Henderson due to various injury concerns.
- 6. Head-to-head record: In their last five meetings, Manchester United have won three matches, while Crystal Palace have won one and one has ended in a draw. The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-1 victory for Manchester United.
- 7. Home advantage: Crystal Palace will have the home advantage in this match, which could play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The Selhurst Park crowd will be backing their team to secure a positive result against Manchester United.
- 8. Tactical approach: Crystal Palace are known for their defensive solidity and quick counter-attacking style of play. Manchester United, on the other hand, will be looking to dominate possession and create chances through their attacking players.
- 9. Key battles: The match will see some intriguing battles on the pitch, with the likes of Wilfried Zaha going up against the Manchester United defense, and Bruno Fernandes trying to unlock the Crystal Palace defense. The midfield battle between Nemanja Matic and James McArthur could also be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
- 10. Prediction: With both teams in good form and having quality players in their ranks, the match is expected to be a closely contested affair. However, Manchester United's superior attacking firepower and overall quality could see them edge out Crystal Palace in a hard-fought contest.