Manchester United travels south today to take on an injured Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park looking to get their title bid back on track following a hard fought 0-0 draw with Manchester City last weekend and a disappointing 3-1 penalty shootout loss in the Capital One Cup to Middlesboro at the Riverside midweek.
Goalkeeper
No guesses here with David De Gea being called upon to hopefully keep another clean sheet as he did at Old Trafford against City last weekend, and also midweek, but for the penalty shootout.
Defence
While Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia appears to be LVG’s preferred choice at right-back he picked up a foot injury in the match against City which should see Italian defender, Matteo Darmian come into the back four. Marcus Rojo should start wide left with the central defensive duties left to Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
Midfield
Arguably United’s strongest part of the team, where we expect to see Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger play in front of the back-four while Juan Mata fights for his place with Jesse Lingard breathing down his neck. Ander Herrera will be expected to continue his fine form while Anthony Martial will once more be expected to produce some magic despite going off the boil in recent games.
Attack
How much longer captain Wayne Rooney can carry on playing up front remains to be seen, given his latest performances and with his testimonial coming up Louis van Gaal should start thinking of a replacement for the aging England international.
