Manchester United expected XI vs Crystal Palace as EIGHT changes made

Erik ten Hag is expected to make as many as eight changes as Manchester United prepare to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Manchester United travel to London in fine form, having found the back of the net ten times in their last two matches. Erik ten Hag‘s side first overcame Southampton in the Premier League before hammering Barnsley 7-0 in the Carabao Cup third round.

Their attention now returns to the Premier League, where they face Crystal Palace. Palace currently sit 16th in the table and are still seeking their first win of the season.

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Ten Hag will be mindful of Selhurst Park, the venue of one of his worst defeats last season, when United were handed a 4-0 thrashing late in the 2023/24 campaign.

Although Altay Bayındır made his first start between the sticks at Old Trafford, André Onana is expected to resume his position in goal, having played every Premier League game since he joined in 2023.

In defence, the centre-back duo of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez are expected to return. At the same time, Diogo Dalot will shift back to being an auxiliary left-back, with Toby Collyer vacating the position and leaving space for Noussair Mazraoui to resume his role at right-back.

Manuel Ugarte impressed against Barnsley during his first start for the club, and with Ten Hag wanting to integrate him quickly into the team, he may be afforded his second start. In midfield, he would likely pair with Kobbie Mainoo.

Although Christian Eriksen has played well against Southampton and Barnsley, starting three games in a week may not be beneficial for the 32-year-old. With Ten Hag wanting to keep his team fresh, the Danish playmaker will likely drop to the bench.

Fernandes only played 30 minutes in mid-week but created six chances in that time. As captain, he will return to the team to resume his usual role of attacking midfielder. Mason Mount has returned to the team’s training sessions, but the odds of him playing a part in the tie seem slim.

The choices in the front three become interesting. Marcus Rashford, having scored three goals in his last two games, will remain on the left wing, but on the opposite flank, Ten Hag must choose between Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho.

Although Garnacho scored three goals in his last two appearances, Amad has been United’s most consistent player this season. Also, Garnacho plays best when he has space to run into, while Amad is a lot more intricate, meaning the Ivorian international is the better option against a potential low block against Palace.

Joshua Zirkzee is set to return to his position as the team’s striker, rounding off the eighth change from the side that won 7-0 in the Carabao Cup. Rasmus Højlund has returned to the squad, but there is minimal chance he will start.

Manchester United expected XI

Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martínez, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad, Zirkzee, Rashford.

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