MANCHESTER UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE: PREVIEW

Morgan Jones
Nov 23, 2018
2 min read

The pressure is still firmly on Jose Mourinho as his Manchester United side take on Crystal Palace who are without a win in seven Premier League games.

United are currently eighth in the Premier League and have a goal difference of -1 after 12 games - their worst start to the season in 41 years.

Crystal Palace meanwhile are 16th and have scored only eight goals so far this season – only Huddersfield have scored less.

TEAM NEWS -

Paul Pogba is back in contention for United after recovering from a muscle problem that kept him out of the Manchester Derby.

Luke Shaw is suspended for one game after receiving five yellow cards this season but Marcus Rashford, Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial are all fit.

Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has recovered from the back injury he picked up during the international break.

Wilfried Zaha, James Tomkins and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also return.

THE MANAGERS -

Mourinho hailed Manchester United’s supporters as “fantastic” but admitted his side need to show them more at Old Trafford.

“The supporters cannot do more than what they are doing, we went through a difficult period of results and the supporters were fantastic," the United manager said.

"They support them team and in some matches even push the team for different levels of where we were at the time and we cannot ask more from them.

"It’s us to give them and make them to go to an even better level, is for us.”

The Manchester United boss also remains confident that his team will be in the top four by Christmas.

Roy Hodgson said he has been “pleased” with his side’s recent performances but that they are missing goals.

“I don't think I could have asked more from the team in the last home games," Hodgson insisted.

"I would be delighted if we could replicate those performances. The only thing missing is the goals.”

The Crystal Palace manager also refused to accept that his side is a one-man team.

"I don't think Wilfried Zaha is the only player in our squad that is capable of playing at a higher level for one of the teams above us in the league."

"But we are lucky enough to have them under contract and we try our best to make certain they are happy here and satisfied with everything Crystal Palace can provide for them."

MATCH STATS -

- The Red Devils have never lost in 18 Premier League matches against the Eagles, which is a competition record for a team against a single opponent.

- Crystal Palace have lost their last 11 league visits to Old Trafford and have failed to score in 10 matches since December 1989.

- It is 20 league games since Palace last beat United, losing 17 and drawing three since a 3-0 triumph in May 1991.

- Manchester United have won six consecutive games against Crystal Palace.

BETTING ODDS -

Manchester United: 4/11

Draw: 15/4

Crystal Palace: 7/1