Potential Lineups: Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Pool via Reuters/Wolfgang Rattay
Manchester United’s Premier League opener will see them welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford. United will be looking for a positive start whereas the Eagles actually look to better their position after a slim win on opening day.
Here’s how the two sides are likely to lineup for the weekend fixture.
Manchester United
In terms of injuries, the Red Devils will be without Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe for the game.
A comparatively mute transfer window means that Ole Gunnar Solskjær only has the fresh face of Donny van de Beek to give a potential start. However, Dean Henderson’s promotion does mean that he stands a chance to start although it would certainly be a bold move for the Norwegian to bench David De Gea from the get-go itself. Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba are fit again as per the latest press conference.
It will be interesting to see how two trios are incorporated- firstly the successful goal-hungry attacking trident of Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford and secondly the potential midfield presence of Bruno Fernandes, Pogba, and van de Beek.
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw
Midfielders: van de Beek, Fernandes, Pogba
Forwards: Greenwood, Martial, Rashford
Formation: 4-3-3
Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson has a long list of injuries to fret about. Gary Cahill, James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson, and Patrick van Aanholt are out for certain while the fitness of Connor Wickham, Jairo Riedwald, and Christian Benteke remain doubtful.
The side also have more football and fatigue under their belt than United as they suffered a penalty shootout loss to Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup mid-week.
Wilfried Zaha’s exceptional form from the opening day fixture against Southampton will be relied upon once more. Likewise, fresh signings Michy Batshuayi and Eberechi Eze may also hope to make a mark.
Goalkeeper: Guaita
Defenders: Ward, Kouyaté, Dann, Mitchell
Midfielders: Townsend, McCarthy, McArthur, Schlupp
Forwards: Ayew, Zaha
Formation: 4-4-2