Manchester United will be looking to move to the fourth round as they host Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The Red Devils recorded a much-needed 1-0 win over Burnley in the league on Saturday. Palace will enter the contest off the back of a goalless draw with Fulham earlier in the day.
Preview (Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace)
The result ended a three-game losing streak that had put pressure on head coach Erik ten Hag. Man United did not exactly put on a model performance against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. They managed to secure a huge three points thanks to a brilliant volley from Bruno Fernandes. The Red Devils have now won three and lost three league games this season. They lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich last week to open their Champions League group-stage campaign. Prior to Galatasaray’s visit to Manchester for the opening of the Champions League, Man United’s next four games in all competitions are at home, twice against Palace, who will also visit Old Trafford in the league the following weekend.
Before the international break, Ten Hag’s team will play Brentford. If they can win four games, the atmosphere around the club will be significantly different. Despite being back in the Champions League, they will feel confident about their chances of progressing far in the competition this time around. Their best results in major cup competitions were in 1989–1990 and 2015–16 when they reached the FA Cup finals. Palace has never won the EFL Cup and has also failed to win the FA Cup.
This season, the Eagles have already had to compete in the EFL Cup once. To advance to the competition’s third round, they defeated Plymouth Argyle 4-2. Palace have two victories, two draws, and two defeats in their first six Premier League games. With eight points, they are in ninth place in the standings. They lost 3-1 to Aston Villa in their final away game on September 16. Roy Hodgson’s team played out a scoreless draw against Fulham on Saturday. Old Trafford will now receive two trips from Palace in rapid succession.
Team News
Prior to this game, Man United will need to determine Sergio Reguilon’s level of fitness after the left-back was replaced late against Burnley on Saturday due to illness. At Turf Moor, Sofyan Amrabat made his Red Devils debut as a late replacement at left-back, but he is now eligible to make his complete debut in center midfield. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, and Amad Diallo are still definitely out, while Antony and Jadon Sancho continue to miss games due to personal reasons. Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Mason Mount will also need to be evaluated prior to this encounter owing to recent injuries. Michael Olise, Matheus Franca, Jefferson Lerma, James Tomkins, and Naouirou Ahamada will all be out injured for Palace on Tuesday night.
Hodgson, the manager of the Eagles, will undoubtedly make changes to the team that began the match against Fulham on Saturday. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are two players who are anticipated to enter the starting lineup. In addition to Dean Henderson, Chris Richards, Rob Holding, Nathaniel Clyne, and Jairo Riedewald are all expected to start for the Eagles. Dean Henderson will make his debut against the team from which he recently left ways.
Manchester United 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
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