Crystal Palace vs Manchester United PL 2021/22

We have the team news as Manchester United head to Selhurst Park to face a Crystal Palace side with the Europa League spot up for grabs. Their closest competition which is West Ham United sit two points behind and will travel to Brighton on the final day. This will be the longest gap United have ever had between their final home fixture at Old Trafford and their last game of the season.

United are facing a lot of off-field issues as the season comes to a close with two senior players getting into a bust-up in training after the 4-0 loss to Brighton. There were even reports stating that Erik Ten Hag might take charge of this game since he left Ajax early to prepare for the job. Crystal Palace have not won in their last 12 home games against United and this would be a good time to break that record. In the reverse fixture, United secured a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and will be looking to complete a league double.

Manchester United players in training, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, team news — Image obtained via Manchester Evening News

Injury List:

Ralf Rangnick’s squad has been hit with several injuries in recent weeks, but now the former English champions have been handed a triple boost ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park. Luke Shaw is back after his surgery and will be training with the squad for the first time since April. Alex Telles will continue at left-back with Shaw getting up to speed.

Jadon Sancho was ruled out with tonsillitis for the past few games but is back in training. Sancho could go right back into the squad ahead of Juan Mata. The England international has scored five times and provided three assists in 38 appearances for Man United following a move from Borussia Dortmund, and he said that he is looking forward to a new era under the club’s new manager Erik ten Hag.

Marcus Rashford has also made it back into the squad after missing the previous game against Brighton due to bronchitis. Edinson Cavani might be in contention for the starting eleven after making bench appearances against Brentford and Brighton. This would be a good time to give opportunities to Alejandro Garnacho, Shola Shoretire, Hannibal Mejbri and other upcoming academy stars. Paul Pogba is out till the end of the season and has started his search for a new club with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus interested.

Crystal Palace will be without Michael Olise for the remainder of the season after the winger picked up a knock in the lead up to the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. James McArthur and Tomkins continue to recover from their injuries and will be back next season. Nathan Ferguson is ruled out with a thigh injury.

Crystal Palace Form:

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Manchester United Form:

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Manchester United Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1):

David De Gea(GK); Diogo Dalot(RB), Raphael Varane(CB), Victor Lindelöf(CB), Alex Telles(LB); Fred(CM), Scott McTominay(CM); Anthony Elanga(RW), Jadon Sancho(LW), Bruno Fernandes(CAM); Cristiano Ronaldo(ST)

Predicted Score:

Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Ronaldo to score twice despite a late goal from Wilfred Zaha to seal a Europa League spot for Red Devils next season

Manchester United will secure the Europa League spot if West Ham can’t get a win at Brighton. Taking into account United’s inferior goal difference, it would be better if United can get the job done at Crystal Palace despite the motivation being very low in the dressing room.

Palace can gain confidence from the fact that they are unbeaten at home when playing on the last day of the season, but the Red Devils have won the last eleven games when playing away on the last day of the season. Palace are the Premier League’s stalemate specialists with 15 draws already this season, and it would not be a surprise to see a similarly tight contest at Selhurst Park.

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