Manchester United will strive to reclaim sixth place in the Premier League standings as they visit Selhurst Park on Monday night to take on a resurgent Crystal Palace side.
Currently positioned eighth in the league, the Red Devils trail sixth-placed Newcastle United by two points. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace sits in 14th place, four points behind 13th-placed Fulham.
Oliver Glasner has made a notable impact since assuming the role of Crystal Palace boss in mid-February following Roy Hodgson's departure. Under his guidance, the 49-year-old Austrian has achieved a record of four wins, three draws, and three losses from his ten games in charge.
The Eagles enter this match on a four-game unbeaten streak, having garnered 10 points from the last 12 available. Victories against Liverpool, West Ham United, and Newcastle United, coupled with a 1-1 draw against Fulham in their previous outing, underline their recent form.
Palace's Premier League campaign has seen them register ten wins, ten draws, and 15 defeats in 35 matches, accumulating 40 points. This places them eight points adrift of 10th-placed Bournemouth but within four points of Fulham in 13th position, with a game in hand.
Since their promotion from the Championship in 2013, Palace have yet to finish higher than 10th, although they secured an 11th-place finish last season, signifying a slight decline this term.
In Monday's encounter, Crystal Palace aims to secure a league double over Manchester United for the first time in history, following their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in September. Moreover, they seek to secure a third consecutive Premier League win at Selhurst Park for the first time since October 2022.
However, due to injury, Palace will face the match without Sam Johnstone, Rob Holding, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma, and Matheus Franca. Nonetheless, the return of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze is anticipated, with the former recovering from a knee operation conducted in February and Eze overcoming a knee problem of his own.
While Guehi may not start, Eze is expected to feature in the front three alongside Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has impressed with 11 Premier League goals this season.
A 3-4-3 formation is envisaged, with England U21 midfielder Adam Wharton, a January transfer window arrival from Blackburn Rovers, making a notable impact in the squad.
Erik ten Hag's side recently slipped to eighth place following Newcastle's victory over Burnley on Saturday and Chelsea's win over West Ham United on Sunday. However, a triumph on Monday night could propel them back to sixth, potentially trailing fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur by only three points, following Spurs' defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
With that said, Manchester United's aspirations for a Champions League berth have dwindled, and they are now aiming to secure qualification for either the Europa League or Conference League in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Undoubtedly, it's been a challenging campaign for Erik ten Hag's men, who have endured 12 league defeats already. Yet, they still have a chance to win domestic silverware this season, gearing up to face bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25.
Despite being unbeaten since their narrow 4-3 defeat at Chelsea on April 4, Manchester United have only managed one victory in their last four top-flight matches (1-3-0), including a 1-1 draw against Championship-bound Burnley at Old Trafford last weekend.
Throughout the season, Manchester United has won seven, drawn three, and lost seven of its 17 away league fixtures. They'll encounter a Crystal Palace side that also suffered seven home defeats in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
While Manchester United secured eight wins in their initial 11 away Premier League matches against Palace, they are now winless in their last three, including a 1-1 draw the previous season (January 2023).
Bruno Fernandes, though a minor doubt due to a wrist injury, is expected to be available, as Ten Hag indicated during his press conference. Scott McTominay is poised to return from a knee injury, likely replacing Christian Eriksen if deemed fit.
Back in training, Jonny Evans might feature alongside Casemiro in the central defense, filling in for the sidelined Harry Maguire, who faces a three-week absence due to a muscular issue.
Anthony Martial remains si, Lisandro Martinez, Willy Kambwala, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Marcus Rashford. remain sidelined
Antony, who scored in the previous 1-1 draw with Burnley, is expected to retain his position on the right flank despite competition from Amad Diallo.
Crystal Palace: Dean Henderson - Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Chris Richards - Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes, Tyrick Mitchell - Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze. (3-4-3)
Manchester United: Andre Onana - Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot - Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay - Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho - Rasmus Hojlund. (4-2-3-1)
United's defensive line remains depleted for this clash, making it challenging to predict a clean sheet, particularly against an in-form Crystal Palace. However, despite defensive concerns, The Red Devils boast considerable attacking prowess, hinting at an evenly contested match in the capital on Monday night.
