Ralf Rangnick finally takes charge as Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in an untelevised Super Sunday clash.
If Tottenham lose elsewhere, victory would see Man Utd climb to fifth until Monday evening at minimum.
Palace meanwhile can go tenth with a win for at least a few hours.
Team News
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt after missing Man Utd’s comeback win over Arsenal on Thursday with a hand injury.
Luke Shaw (head), Nemanja Matic (hamstring), Cristiano Ronaldo (cramp) and Edinson Cavani (tendon) are doubts but Raphael Varane (hamstring) and Paul Pogba (quad) remain ruled out.
Palace will be without Joel Ward due to suspension after the defender picked up his fifth booking of the season in their midweek loss at Leeds.
James McArthur and Joachim Andersen (both hamstring) could be handed late fitness tests but won’t be risked until fully match fit.
Nathan Ferguson (Achilles) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd are unbeaten in three of their last five league meetings against Crystal Palace (W2, D1, L2).
- Palace are unbeaten in their last three visits to Old Trafford (W2, D1).
- Palace have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 27 visits to Man Utd in all competitions since winning 1-0 in October 1970.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored five goals in three league matches where Utd have scored three or more goals, with the Red Devils winning on all three occasions (W3).
- Defeat would see Palace lose three consecutive league matches for the third time in 2021.
Prediction
Man Utd will be in buoyant spirits now Rangnick is in full charge especially after their spirited comeback win over Arsenal on Thursday, where they played with confidence and excellent movement on and off the ball despite two sloppy defensive errors which led to two conceded goals.
Since returning from last month’s international break, something has gone wrong in Palace’s defence because their attack has been excellent although a mixture of poor finishing on attacks and defensive errors proved costly at Leeds in midweek.
This fixture though is the ideal reignition that Palace need given their recent form at Old Trafford but they’re going to need to be at their very best and clinical, otherwise I can see Man Utd benefitting from the new manager bounce and claiming another win.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Result: Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace