“To be honest, I don’t want to play against him because I know how aggressive he was against Southampton… He’s every attackers’ nightmare”: Crystal Palace best player reveals ONE Man United player he won’t like to play against.
Manchester United is set to pursue their third consecutive win across all competitions when they visit Selhurst Park for a Premier League showdown against Crystal Palace this Saturday evening. This match holds extra significance for the Red Devils, as they look to redeem themselves after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the same venue at the end of last season.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace is enduring a tough start to their Premier League campaign. Under the management of Oliver Glasner, the Eagles are still searching for their first win of the season, having only managed two points from their opening four matches—both from draws against Chelsea and Leicester City. They are among six clubs yet to secure a victory.
Palace began their season with back-to-back losses to Brentford and West Ham United but showed resilience with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea before the international break. Their next game saw a dramatic 2-2 comeback against Leicester City, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring twice in the second half, including a stoppage-time penalty.
Despite their league struggles, Crystal Palace has had reasons to be optimistic, especially after advancing in the EFL Cup. A 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers, courtesy of goals from new signing Eddie Nketiah and former QPR player Eberechi Eze, followed a dominant 4-0 victory against Norwich City in the second round. Now, Palace hopes to carry that cup form into the Premier League as they prepare to face a Manchester United side that outclassed them last season, winning 5-0 on aggregate.
Manchester United’s start to the 2024-25 season has been mixed. Consecutive Premier League defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool raised concerns for manager Erik ten Hag. However, the team appears to have found its rhythm, securing two morale-boosting victories with a combined score of 10-0. Last weekend, they eased past Southampton 3-0, and on Tuesday, they demolished Barnsley 7-0 in the EFL Cup.
Key contributors to United’s recent success include Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, each scoring three goals across the two games, with Garnacho netting twice against Barnsley. Christian Eriksen also scored twice, while Antony added to the tally, helping Manchester United advance to the EFL Cup’s fourth round.
Despite these commanding performances, United fans remain cautious. While wins against a League One side and a recently promoted Premier League team offer confidence, they primarily serve as much-needed morale boosters for Ten Hag’s squad. With a congested fixture list looming—five matches in 16 days across the Premier League and Europa League—these victories come at a critical time.
As the weekend approaches, Manchester United sits 10th in the Premier League, aiming to improve their away form, especially in London. The Red Devils have only won two of their last 16 Premier League games in the capital, suffering 10 defeats there since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement—a stark contrast to their record of just 10 losses in 118 matches during his 26-year reign.
As both teams gear up for this anticipated clash, Manchester United will be looking to maintain their momentum, while Crystal Palace hopes to turn their cup success into valuable points in the league.
