Manchester United need win over revitalised Crystal Palace in race for Europe

Manchester United’s hunt for European football continues on Monday when they face Crystal Palace, live on talkSPORT.

The Red Devils are locked in an intense battle for a Europa League place with Newcastle and Chelsea, while they could still catch Tottenham in fifth.

However, a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley was less than ideal, and by the time they play, the Red Devils could find themselves down in eighth.

Meanwhile, Palace have looked a team transformed in recent weeks under Oliver Glasner.

The Eagles are unbeaten in four, winning their last two at home, so it will be a far-from-easy game for Erik ten Hag‘s side.

Crystal Palace vs Man United: Olise’s audition

Michael Olise is expected to be in demand this summer, with several other Premier League clubs looking at the former Reading man.

Man United are said to be leading the race for the winger, who has enjoyed a fine season despite being injured for large chunks.

But when he has been fit, he’s looked almost unplayable at times and clearly has the quality to perform at any level.

A new winger is likely to be high on United’s wishlist this summer, given the struggles for Antony and Marcus Rashford, and Olise could be the man.

So, this game represents the perfect opportunity for the Palace player to show exactly what he can do.

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• Crystal Palace won 1-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this campaign – the Eagles have never completed a league double over the Red Devils.
• Manchester United won eight of their first 11 away Premier League games against Crystal Palace (D3) but are winless in their last three (D2 L1).
• Manchester United have lost four away Premier League matches in London this season, losing to Spurs, Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea. They have never lost five away league games in the capital in a single season before.

Crystal Palace vs Man United: Team news

The hosts have been badly hit by injuries all season and remain without Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding and Matheus Franca.

Jefferson Lerma could return from a hamstring injury.

Eberechi Eze is doubtful due to a knee knock, while Marc Guehi is expected back from surgery.

Meanwhile for United, Tyrell Malacia’s season is over.

Jonny Evans and Anthony Martial have returned to training and could be involved.

Scott McTominay is also doubtful after coming off against Burnley, while Bruno Fernandes’ incredible appearance record is in danger.

The Portuguese international has suffered a knock and might not be involved.

Elsewhere, Rashford, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are all on their way back, but aren’t yet available.

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• Manchester United have lost eight of their last 14 away Premier League matches in the month of May (W3 D3), with one of those a 1-0 defeat at Selhurst Park in 2022 under Ralf Rangnick.
• Crystal Palace have won both of their last two Premier League games at Selhurst Park, last winning three in a row at home in the competition in October 2022. The Eagles have won as many of their five home Premier League games under Oliver Glasner this season (W3 D1 L1) as their 12 such matches under Roy Hodgson beforehand in 2023-24 (W3 D3 L6).
• Manchester United have shipped 77 goals in 47 games all competitions this season, their most in a season since 1977-78 (80). Their current ratio of conceding (1.64 goals-per-game) is their worst since the 1962-63 campaign (1.75 per game).

Crystal Palace vs Man United: What has been said?

United boss Ten Hag has been speaking to Gary Neville about his style of play, and he’s defended it.

He said: “Frustration [at the style of play not working] is not the right word because I’m a realistic man. Last year, when I came in, you make your adjustments, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning games. From last year, we found a way to make a very successful team.

“This year, we wanted to make the next step. We bought in a goalkeeper who can play out from the back, a dynamic midfielder in Mason Mount – who has been injured all season – and a goalscorer in Rasmus Hojlund who is young and needed the time.

“But the fans want to see a successful team, a team that’s winning. What we always try to do, and it’s a compliment to the team, in every game, they went for it and they had a spirit.

“We are not where we want to be with the way we want to play, but the headlines are still there because we want to be proactive, be dynamic and we want to play with a high line. That’s what we always aim for.”

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• Manchester United have both scored and conceded in each of their last eight Premier League away games – only once have they had a longer such run in the competition, doing so in nine consecutive games between May and November 2001.
• Despite only starting five matches and playing 485 minutes at Selhurst Park this season, only Jean-Philippe Mateta (8 goals, 2 assists) has had a hand in more Crystal Palace goals at home in the Premier League than Michael Olise (4 goals, 4 assists). Indeed, across his last eight home league starts, Olise has scored four and assisted seven.
• Jean-Phillipe Mateta has scored in each of his five home Premier League appearances under Oliver Glasner (seven goals), having only netted in five out of his first 37 home matches for Crystal Palace beforehand (five goals). The last player to score in his first six home appearances under one manager in the competition was Alan Shearer for Kevin Keegan in 1996-97 (first nine).
• In April, Bruno Fernandes created 31 chances in his six appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, seven more than any other Premier League player. He created nine chances in each of his last two Premier League appearances (vs Sheffield United and Burnley), becoming the only player on record to create 9+ chances in consecutive matches (2003-04 onwards).

Crystal Palace vs Man United: Date and how to follow

This Premier League game is set to take place on Monday, April 6.

Kick-off at Selhurst Park is scheduled for 8pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage from south London, with Adrian Durham serving as your presenter.

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy.

talkSPORT.com will also have a live blog to take you through the action.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.