Manchester United face Crystal Palace at 14:00 (BST) on Sunday in the Premier League, following the 1-0 win against Everton on Monday evening earlier this week.
Manchester United are set for yet another tough game this weekend as Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace travel from London to Old Trafford.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Rúben Amorim’s United side went 1-0 down thanks to a penalty from Jean-Phillipe Mateta, but took all three points home to Manchester thanks to goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount.
Bruno Fernandes registered two set-piece assists on the day in his deeper role, but has looked much like his former self since his return to attacking midfield under Michael Carrick. Since Carrick’s return, Fernandes has four assists and one goal to his name.
While Fernandes has been one to improve, almost all of the United squad have seen an upturn in form since Amorim’s departure, even those who aren’t starting. Benjamin Šeško hasn’t started a game under Carrick, but was awarded United’s Player of the Month for February due to his equalising and winning goals from the bench.
Šeško has been called to start against Crystal Palace, but it seems Glasner knows what to expect from United on Sunday afternoon.
Glasner reveals United’s strengths
“What I have seen is they [United] are very good in set-plays as well, and I have seen it looked like a very tough battle in how they defended the corners against Everton,” Glasner said in preparation for the United game, following a 2-0 Europa Conference League win.
Glasner continued: “Everton had 12 corners, and every time it was interrupted because two or three players were laying on the grass.
“We will analyse them in detail tomorrow afternoon after training, and then let’s see. We know it will be a different game than today, and we know that we have to defend very well.”
United rank third in the Premier League for set-piece goals with 13, as per Statr, with Arsenal leading the way with 17.
As well as set-pieces, Glasner also recognises how United’s spirit could be a problem for Palace. He said: “They have a great spirit right now, as I mentioned.
For me, it was really impressive seeing Matheus Cunha celebrating winning a duel in their own box [vs Everton], because I think this is what Michael Carrick brought into his team.”
Want to stay as up-to-date as possible on the latest Manchester United updates? Add UtdDistrict as a preferred source on Google for news you can rely on.
Carrick must make changes against Palace
With Glasner so clearly prepared for the United match, Carrick must be willing to make changes to his tactics and his team selection – something which he hasn’t done since his return to the Old Trafford dugout.
On Sunday, Šeško has to be brought into the starting lineup, as his goal-scoring form from the bench is simply too good to leave out for any longer.
In his place, one of Amad or Cunha will likely have to drop to the bench, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to return to his more natural place on the wing.
Carrick will also have a big call to make in central defence: with Lisandro Martínez still out injured, does Leny Yoro keep his place, or should Ayden Heaven return to the starting XI?
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.