Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
England – Premier League
Date: Sunday, 5 December 2021
Kick-off at 14:00 UK/ 15:00 CET
Venue: Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick takes his seat in the Manchester United bench for the first time against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, ushering in a new era at Old Trafford.
Before Sunday, the new coach will have very little time to work with his players on the training field, but it doesn’t rule out any early tactical and personnel adjustments.
United are 11/20 favourites with Grosvenor Sport to give Rangnick his first win, while Palace are 11/2 outsiders to repeat their victory from last season.
Rangnick’s top job will be to shore up United’s shaky defense, which has conceded 24 goals in 14 Premier League games and hasn’t recorded a single shutout at Old Trafford this season.
Palace appeared to be on the right road, but back-to-back defeats at Aston Villa and Leeds have pushed Patrick Vieira’s team back, despite a performance at Villa Park that merited better.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Head to head :
- Five of the last eight clashes had three or more goals.
- The visitors had scored two or more goals in the last two encounters at this venue.
- The latest match-up at this venue had ended in a 1-3 win for the guests.
- Since 1989, only once have the hosts failed to score at this ground.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Prediction :
In terms of goals conceded at Old Trafford this season, United have been the gift that keeps on giving, and Palace look well equipped to inflict more damage on a United defense that has allowed more goals at home than all but Watford and Newcastle.
However, United should have too much offensive quality for a Palace side that gave up 15 shots at Leeds on Wednesday night, so back United to win and both teams to score (yes) at Grosvenor Sport for a very enticing 9/4 chance.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Team news :
Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba will both be missing due to injury, while Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw are huge doubts for the match at Old Trafford.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed the encounter against Arsenal due to a hand injury; he could return, but Diogo Dalot, who impressed against the Gunners, could replace him.
Rangnick will be able to rotate his squad against Young Boys in the Champions League next week, so it would not be surprising to see the same XI that started against Mikel Arteta’s side.
Nemanja Matic was also absent against Mikel Arteta’s side due to a hamstring problem and is unlikely to return, so it would not be surprising to see the same XI that started on Thursday.
Ronaldo was substituted late in the game against Arsenal, but it was merely as a precaution, and the 36-year-old is set to lead the line again.
During Friday’s news conference, Palace assistant manager Osian Roberts stated that Joachim Andersen is responding to treatment for his hamstring ailment and could be eligible for selection.
However, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are still out due to injury, while Joel Ward is suspended, therefore James Tomkins could be shifted to right-back.
Christian Benteke and Luka Milivojevic both began on the bench against Leeds the last time they played, but both are eager to return, while Wilfried Zaha will line up in attack against his former side.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Tomkins, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Milivojevic, Kouyate; Ayew, Benteke, Zaha
