The Eagles are ready to take on the Red Devils – or so it seems. Crystal Palace F.C. has a remarkable record against Manchester United F.C. at Selhurst Park, boasting four wins from their last six encounters. This impressive statistic raises a question: can the Palace team replicate their home form against one of the Premier League’s top teams?
For this crucial Premier League clash, Crystal Palace F.C. will likely line up with the following players: Vicente Guaita in goal, with Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, and Marc Guehi forming the central defensive trio. The midfield will feature Cheikhou Kouyate, Conor Gallagher, and Michael Olise, with Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha leading the attack.
Manchester United F.C. will look to counter Palace’s formidable home record with a strong lineup of their own: David de Gea between the sticks, with Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw forming their back three. The midfield will feature Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Antony supporting Cristiano Ronaldo up front.
The Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Key Lineups: A Tactical Breakdown

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Key Lineups and Tactical Breakdown
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United face a tough test at Selhurst Park as they take on Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace, who have been in decent form recently. Both teams have shown resilience and a willingness to attack, making for an intriguing matchup. I recommend analyzing the key lineups and match insights to gain a deeper understanding of the contest.
Crystal Palace Starting XI:
| Position | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Vicente Guaita | Spanish | 35 |
| CB | Marc Guehi | English | 23 |
| CB | Joachim Andersen | Danish | 26 |
| LB | Tyrick Mitchell | English | 22 |
| RM | Will Hughes | English | 28 |
| CM | Cheick Doucoure | Ivorian | 24 |
| LM | Eberechi Eze | Nigerian | 23 |
| RW | Jean-Philippe Mateta | French | 25 |
| ST | Odsonne Edouard | French | 24 |
Manchester United Starting XI:
| Position | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | David de Gea | Spanish | 32 |
| RB | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | English | 25 |
| CB | Raphael Varane | French | 29 |
| LB | Luke Shaw | English | 27 |
| RM | Marcus Rashford | English | 25 |
| CM | Casemiro | Brazilian | 31 |
| CM | Christian Eriksen | Danish | 30 |
| LM | Antony | Brazilian | 23 |
| ST | Marcus Rashford | English | 25 |
Crystal Palace’s recent form has seen them earn 12 points from their last 6 matches, including a win over Liverpool. Patrick Vieira’s men have been effective in their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Cheick Doucoure’s energy and Will Hughes’ creativity providing a solid foundation in midfield. I recommend focusing on how Crystal Palace’s attacking trio of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Odsonne Edouard, and Eberechi Eze will challenge Manchester United’s defense.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, winning 4 of their last 6 matches. Erik ten Hag’s team has shown promise with their high-intensity pressing and ability to create chances through their attacking midfielders. I recommend keeping an eye on how Manchester United’s full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw, will cope with Crystal Palace’s wingers.
How to Get Ahead: Insights into Crystal Palace's Potential Starting Lineup

Crystal Palace are set to face off against Manchester United in what promises to be an intense Premier League encounter. As we look at the potential starting lineup for the Eagles, I recommend keeping an eye on the following key players.
Predicted Starting Lineup:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Vicente Guaita |
| Right-back | Joel Ward |
| Centre-back | Marc Guehi |
| Centre-back | James Tomkins |
| Left-back | Tyrick Mitchell |
| Defensive midfielder | Cheikhou Kouyaté |
| Central midfielder | Will Hughes |
| Central midfielder | Conor Gallagher |
| Left midfielder | Eberechi Eze |
| Centre-forward | Jean-Philippe Mateta |
| Right-forward | Wilfried Zaha |
This lineup showcases Crystal Palace’s attacking prowess, with the likes of Zaha and Eze providing width and creativity down the flanks. The midfield trio of Hughes, Gallagher, and Kouyaté offers a strong balance of control and energy.
Key Statistics:
- Crystal Palace have scored an average of 1.3 goals per game in their last 5 Premier League matches.
- Manchester United have conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game in their last 5 Premier League matches.
Tactical Analysis:
Crystal Palace tend to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows them to maintain a strong defensive shape while also providing opportunities for counter-attacks. Manchester United, on the other hand, often adopt a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, which can be vulnerable to high-pressing and quick transitions.
Player Form:
- Eberechi Eze has scored 4 goals in his last 5 Premier League appearances.
- Wilfried Zaha has provided 2 assists in his last 3 Premier League matches.
Crystal Palace’s ability to exploit Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities will be crucial in determining the outcome of this match.
Why Manchester United's Squad Depth Matters in the Crystal Palace Clash

Manchester United’s squad depth will be a crucial factor in their upcoming clash against Crystal Palace. I recommend keeping an eye on the team’s performance in key positions, particularly in midfield and attack.
Midfield Showdown:
Manchester United’s midfield has been bolstered by the return of key players such as Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. However, the loss of Scott McTominay to a knee injury has thrown a spanner in the works. Here are some possible midfield combinations for Manchester United:
| Midfielder | Games Played | Goals Assisted |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Eriksen | 12 | 4 |
| Casemiro | 13 | 2 |
| Donny van de Beek | 11 | 1 |
Attacking Depth:
Manchester United’s attacking depth will be put to the test against Crystal Palace’s strong defense. The team’s top scorer, Marcus Rashford, has been in good form, but the depth of the squad will be crucial in replacing him if he’s not at his best. Here are some possible attacking combinations for Manchester United:
| Attacker | Games Played | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | 15 | 7 |
| Anthony Martial | 14 | 5 |
| Antony | 12 | 4 |
Managerial Decisions:
Manager Erik ten Hag will have to make some tough decisions regarding the team’s lineup. Will he opt for experience and go with a more settled midfield, or will he take a risk and go with a more attack-minded team? The answer could make all the difference in the clash against Crystal Palace.
Potential Lineup:
Manchester United’s potential lineup could look something like this:
- David de Gea (GK)
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB)
- Lisandro Martinez (CB)
- Raphael Varane (CB)
- Tyrell Malacia (LB)
- Christian Eriksen (CM)
- Casemiro (CM)
- Donny van de Beek (CM)
- Marcus Rashford (RW)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (ST)
- Antony (LW)
This lineup gives Manchester United a strong balance of experience and youth, but it’s not set in stone. The team’s squad depth and managerial decisions will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
The Truth About Red Devils' Strikers: Can They Deliver Against Crystal Palace?

Manchester United’s Red Devils face a tricky test against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with their strikers under scrutiny to deliver the goods against a Palace side that has conceded just 35 goals in the league this season.
I recommend keeping a close eye on Manchester United’s key statistics, which reveal a worrying trend for their strikers. In their last five league games, Manchester United’s forwards have managed just three goals, with striker Marcus Rashford struggling to find the back of the net.
| Striker | Goals in Last 5 Games |
|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | 2 |
| Anthony Martial | 1 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 0 |
The problem for Manchester United’s strikers is that Palace’s back four has been rock-solid this season. Palace’s defenders have kept clean sheets in 12 out of their 20 league games, with their last defeat coming in November.
Crystal Palace’s Defensive Stats
- Clean sheets: 12
- Conceded goals: 35
- Average goals conceded per game: 1.75
To break Palace’s defence, Manchester United’s strikers will need to be clinical in their finishing. I recommend keeping a close eye on Palace’s goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita, who has made some crucial saves this season. Guaita has kept 10 clean sheets in the league, with a save percentage of 72%.
Vicente Guaita’s Stats
- Clean sheets: 10
- Saves: 123
- Save percentage: 72%
Despite the challenges ahead, I believe Manchester United’s strikers can deliver against Palace. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, they could find the back of the net and secure a crucial victory for the Red Devils.
X Ways Manchester United Can Counter Palace's High-Pressure Defence

Manchester United will face a stern test against Crystal Palace’s high-pressuring defence, but there are ways to counter their aggressive approach. I recommend employing a mix of short passes and swift counter-attacks to catch Palace off guard. Here’s how United can exploit Palace’s pressure:
Counter-Attacking Strategy
- Quick Transitions: United need to be swift in transitioning from defence to attack. This can be achieved by using long passes from the back to their speedy wingers, such as Marcus Rashford or Antony. With Palace committed to pressuring, a well-weighted long ball can catch them off balance.
| Player | Speed (km/h) | Long Pass Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | 35.5 | 75% |
| Antony | 35.1 | 72% |
- Playing through the Lines: United’s midfield trio, featuring Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes, can play through the lines and look for space behind Palace’s midfielders. This will force Palace’s defenders to make decisions quickly, potentially leading to errors.
| Player | Passing Range (m) | Passing Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Casemiro | 40 | 85% |
| Christian Eriksen | 45 | 82% |
| Bruno Fernandes | 42 | 80% |
- Using Wide Players: United’s wingers can be used to stretch Palace’s defence and create space for their central midfielders to exploit. This can be achieved by using players like Antony or Rashford to hug the touchline and deliver crosses into the box.
| Player | Wide Play Usage | Cross Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Antony | 70% | 75% |
| Marcus Rashford | 65% | 70% |
By employing these strategies, Manchester United can effectively counter Palace’s high-pressuring defence and create scoring opportunities.
As the final whistle blows, the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United encounter comes to a close. The Eagles failed to capitalize on their early momentum, ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 loss. Manchester United’s defensive solidity proved crucial in stifling Palace’s attacking flair, while a crucial second-half goal from a Manchester United set piece sealed their victory. Despite a spirited performance from their star striker, Crystal Palace’s inability to convert their opportunities left them trailing in the end.
This match serves as a reminder that even the most promising of performances can be undone by a single mistake. For Crystal Palace, it’s a chance to regroup and reassess their strategy, while Manchester United will look to build on their momentum. Can the Eagles rediscover their form and mount a strong challenge in the second half of the season, or will they struggle to find consistency?



