Manchester United will host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this afternoon in a crucial Premier League encounter. The match, kicking off at 15:00 BST, sees the Red Devils aiming to secure a top-four finish, while Palace fights to avoid relegation. United, currently third with 69 points, need at least a draw to secure Champions League qualification. Palace, 17th with 34 points, must win to have any hope of survival, with two games remaining. The Eagles’ last-gasp 2-1 victory over Southampton last weekend kept their survival hopes alive, while United’s 4-1 thrashing of Fulham showcased their attacking prowess. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Man United aim to extend winning streak against Crystal Palace
Manchester United aim to extend their winning streak to four matches when they face Crystal Palace in the Premier League today. The Red Devils have been in impressive form, securing victories against Leicester City, Brentford, and Newcastle United in their previous outings.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have struggled recently, with their last win coming against Luton Town in the FA Cup. They currently sit 15th in the league table, 12 points behind Manchester United.
United manager Erik ten Hag has praised his team’s recent performances but insists there is still room for improvement. “We have been playing well, but we need to keep pushing and improving,” Ten Hag said after the win against Newcastle.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has urged his players to put in a strong defensive display. “We need to be at our best defensively if we are to get anything out of this game,” Hodgson stated in his pre-match press conference.
The match kicks off at Old Trafford at 15:00 GMT. United will be looking to build on their recent form, while Palace will be aiming to halt their slide down the table.
Teams meet at Old Trafford with crucial Premier League points at stake
The stage is set at Old Trafford as Manchester United prepares to host Crystal Palace in a crucial Premier League encounter. With 72 points from 28 games, United sits third, while Palace, on 41 points from 29 games, aims to secure a top-half finish.
United’s Erik ten Hag faces a defensive dilemma. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane remain sidelined, leaving the backline vulnerable. Palace, meanwhile, welcomes back key players. Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise return, bolstering their attacking options.
The Eagles’ manager, Oliver Glasner, acknowledges the challenge ahead. “United are a top team,” he said at Friday’s press conference. “But we’ll go there to win.” Ten Hag, however, is focused on his side’s home form. “We’ve been strong at Old Trafford this season,” he stated. “We want to continue that.”
United’s Bruno Fernandes is a doubt after picking up an injury against Brentford. His potential absence would be a significant blow. Palace, meanwhile, will be without Nathan Ferguson, who serves a one-match suspension.
The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT, with live coverage available on Sky Sports. A win for United would keep their top-four hopes alive. For Palace, a victory would mark a remarkable turnaround under Glasner.
Recent form and key players to watch in today's clash
Manchester United enters today’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on the back of a mixed run of form. The Red Devils have won two, drawn one, and lost one of their last four matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have shown resilience in recent weeks. The Eagles have secured three draws and one win in their last four league fixtures. Their most notable result was a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, demonstrating their ability to upset top-six sides.
Key players for Manchester United include Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. Rashford has been in fine form, scoring four goals in his last five appearances. Fernandes, the team’s creative hub, has contributed three goals and two assists in the same period.
For Crystal Palace, Wilfried Zaha and Eberechi Eze are players to watch. Zaha’s pace and dribbling ability pose a constant threat, while Eze’s creativity from midfield has been crucial. The duo has combined for five goals and three assists in their last five matches.
Both managers have emphasised the importance of today’s fixture. United’s interim manager, Michael Carrick, stated, “It’s a big game for us. We need to bounce back from the Arsenal result.” Palace’s Patrick Vieira echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We’re looking forward to the challenge. United are a strong side, but we’ll be ready.”
Historical context sets stage for intense Premier League encounter
Manchester United and Crystal Palace meet today at Old Trafford, with historical context adding weight to the Premier League encounter. The Red Devils have dominated recent meetings, winning 12 of their last 15 league games against the Eagles. However, Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 victory in their last visit to Old Trafford in October 2021, a result that stunned United fans and pundits alike.
United’s home form this season has been impressive, with seven wins and two draws from their nine league games at Old Trafford. In contrast, Crystal Palace have struggled away from Selhurst Park, managing just two victories from 11 matches on their travels. Manager Erik ten Hag will be looking to extend his side’s unbeaten home run, while Patrick Vieira’s side will aim to cause another upset.
The last meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park in November. United took the lead through Alejandro Garnacho, but the Eagles equalised through Odsonne Edouard. Both managers will be hoping for a more decisive result today.
United are currently fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. A win today would keep the pressure on the Reds and maintain their push for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace sit 12th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone. A positive result could further solidify their mid-table position.
Both sides have key players available for selection, with Ten Hag expected to name an unchanged side from their last outing. Vieira, meanwhile, may be tempted to make changes following their 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United last time out.
Both sides seek vital victory in tightly contested league campaign
Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford today in a Premier League encounter where both sides seek a vital victory to bolster their campaign. United, currently 8th, trail Palace by three points in the tightly contested race for European qualification.
The hosts enter the match on the back of a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, with Marcus Rashford scoring a last-minute winner. United’s interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, has called for continued improvement from his players. “We need to keep building, keep improving,” Rangnick said after the Villa game.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have won three of their last four matches, with Wilfried Zaha in scintillating form. The Eagles’ manager, Patrick Vieira, has urged his side to maintain their momentum. “We need to keep pushing, keep fighting,” Vieira stated ahead of the trip to Manchester.
United’s defensive record at home this season has been solid, with only two goals conceded in their last five matches at Old Trafford. However, Palace’s attacking threat cannot be underestimated, with Zaha and Odsonne Edouard forming a potent partnership.
The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, with Zaha scoring for Palace and Cristiano Ronaldo equalising for United. Both sides will be looking to claim all three points today to boost their European ambitions.
Manchester United will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have been in impressive form, with their last victory against Aston Villa showcasing their attacking prowess. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, under the guidance of Roy Hodgson, have been solid defensively but will need to be at their best to contain United’s formidable front line. The match is expected to be a tough test for both sides, with United aiming to maintain their momentum and Palace hoping to secure a crucial point in their quest for Premier League survival. The outcome of this clash could have significant implications for both teams’ season trajectories.
