Man Utd vs. Crystal Palace: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Old Trafford is braced for a pivotal Sunday afternoon as Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace, knowing victory could stretch their cushion inside the Premier League’s top five to six points. Michael Carrick’s interim reign has produced 16 points from a possible 18, lifting United to 48 through 27 matches and within striking distance of third-placed Aston Villa, who sit only three points ahead and continue to wobble.

The momentum was preserved at Goodison Park on Monday, where Benjamin Šeško’s clinical finish on the break earned a 1-0 win at Everton and underlined the squad’s new-found composure. Carrick stopped short of confirming Lisandro Martínez’s availability after the Argentine was withdrawn late in that contest; if he fails to recover, Leny Yoro will again partner club-captain Harry Maguire at the heart of defence. With Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined by a back complaint and Mason Mount stepping up his rehabilitation, the back four and double-pivot are expected to remain unchanged, while Šeško’s impact off the bench has become too persuasive to ignore—Amad Diallo is poised to make way as the Slovenian is handed a first Premier League start.

Palace arrive in Manchester ten points above the relegation places and with continental ambitions still flickering after Thursday’s 2-0 defeat of Zrinjski Mostar sealed a 3-1 aggregate passage into the last 16 of the Conference League. Oliver Glasner’s focus may drift toward AEK Larnaca in the next round, yet his injury-hit squad cannot afford to coast. Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta remain unavailable, leaving January arrivals Jørgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand—who has struck in successive games—to shoulder the goal threat. Jefferson Lerma’s hamstring and Cheick Doucouré’s long-term knee issue keep the midfield light, forcing the Austrian to lean heavily on the fit-again trio of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and teenage left-sided defender Tayo Canvot in a back three.

United have fond memories of this fixture, having overturned a deficit to win 2-1 at Selhurst Park earlier in the campaign, but Palace have revelled on recent visits to M16, recording back-to-back victories. Carrick’s side, brimming with confidence and attacking cohesion, will hope to end that streak and capitalise on Chelsea’s daunting trip to Arsenal later in the weekend.

Predicted teams

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Šeško.

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Strand Larsen, Guessand.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can follow the action live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming via Sky Go and NOW. Canadian audiences can access the match on DAZN and fuboTV.