Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team are ready to kick off the Premier League season after having an extra week off following their Europa League exploits. Now, Manchester United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford as they seek their first three points in 2020-21.
Crystal Palace won 1-0 against Southampton on matchday 1. The Eagles got an early goal from Wilfried Zaha and held strong defensively to claim the win.
It was a 180-degree turn away from their form to end last season. Crystal Palace failed to win any of their matches after the Premier League’s restart.
The Eagles went to Old Trafford last season and claimed a 2-1 win. Jordan Ayew’s first-half goal gave Crystal Palace a halftime lead. Manchester United hit back thanks to a goal from Daniel James in the 89th minute. However, Crystal Palace got a late winner, one minute later, thanks to Patrick van Aanholt.
Roy Hodgson’s team played in the Carabao Cup in midweek against EFL Championship side Bournemouth. The game finished nil-nil after 90 minutes before Crystal Palace lost 11-10 on penalties.
Manchester United have won seven of their last eight Premier League games against Crystal Palace. Their only defeat in that time was last season’s fixture at Old Trafford. Six of those eight matches between the rivals finished with Manchester United winning.
The Red Devils’ defence has been excellent against Crystal Palace, excluding last season’s game at Old Trafford. Solskjaer’s team have kept clean sheets four times in their last eight meetings with the Eagles.
Solskjaer has only one real fitness issue. Midfielder Paul Pogba is working his way back to full playing fitness after quarantining for 14 days. Pogba tested positive for COVID-19 on international duty.
Hodgson has the same old fitness problems at Crystal Palace. Five players are ruled out of the match. Connor Wickham, Van Aanholt, James Tomkins, Gary Cahill, and Nathan Ferguson are all to miss the game. Striker Christian Benteke is also unlikely to play. He is recovering from a foot/ankle injury.
There are worries over the fitness of several Manchester United players. Due to late returns after August’s Europa League games, the Red Devils’ stars could lack full match fitness.
Crystal Palace’s injury woes and lack of firepower in the final third should be their undoing. Manchester United should keep a fifth clean sheet in nine league matches against Crystal Palace. Expect the Red Devils to win to nil and kickstart their season in style.
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