Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
After back-to-back away victories, Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Sunday, desperate to turn their home struggles into a distant memory. A commanding 2-0 win over FCSB not only sealed their unbeaten Europa League qualification but also granted them a crucial advantage—fewer fixtures and more time on the training ground, something Ruben Amorim has been calling for. Now, with a chance to fine-tune his tactics and build consistency, United must make a statement on home turf.
The mood at Carrington is lifting, with fresh reinforcements arriving. The Red Devils have secured Ayden Heaven from Arsenal and Patrick Dorgu, adding much-needed squad depth. Meanwhile, INEOS remain active, pushing for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford, should the forward depart on deadline day. Fans are beginning to see a shift in the club’s transfer approach, and optimism is growing that this newfound ambition will extend into the summer.
Yet, while progress is being made behind the scenes, United’s form at Old Trafford remains a major concern. Their last home outing—a dismal 3-1 defeat to Brighton—exposed their defensive frailties, with André Onana enduring another turbulent performance. However, the Cameroonian goalkeeper showed signs of redemption against Fulham, and supporters hope he maintains that level against Crystal Palace.
Encouragingly, the Red Devils have looked more cohesive in their last two matches under Amorim. His tactical tweaks—particularly in the roles of Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes—suggest a growing understanding of his squad. Alejandro Garnacho’s impact off the bench in midweek, where he provided a crucial assist, was another promising sign. But the biggest question still lingers: which version of Manchester United will turn up this time?
Despite losing just once in their last seven matches across all competitions, United remain buried in 12th place, a staggering 12 points adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle. At this rate, winning the Europa League may be their only realistic path to Champions League football next season.
Crystal Palace arrives with a point to prove. Like United, they harbored European ambitions at the start of the campaign, but a slow start left them languishing in mid-table. However, under Oliver Glasner, the Eagles have regained their wings, embarking on a six-game unbeaten run across the Premier League and FA Cup before falling to Brentford last weekend.
Palace’s defensive resilience on the road makes them a formidable opponent. They boast the league’s tightest away defense, conceding just 11 goals—fewer than any other side. Joachim Andersen’s winner at Old Trafford last season remains fresh in their minds, and with their backline holding firm, the Eagles will believe they can frustrate United once again.
The Red Devils are yet to secure back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim, and Palace’s recent form suggests they won’t make it easy. With the visitors’ defensive solidity and United’s home inconsistency, the stage is set for another tense showdown. Will United finally break the cycle, or will Palace extend their dominance over the struggling giants?
Who do you think will come out on top?
Manchester United’s record against Crystal Palace:
| Games won: | 41 |
| Games drawn: | 14 |
| Games lost: | 12 |
Team News:
(As of today 25/01/2025)
Manchester United: Luke Shaw, Lindelof, Mason Mount, Johnny Evans and Marcus Rashford remain unavailable.
Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze, Chadi Riad and Adam Wharton are absent.
Prediction:
After back-to-back away wins, Manchester United will be eager to turn their home fortunes around and avoid another frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford.
However, Crystal Palace have proven to be formidable on the road this season, boasting a resilient defense and a knack for grinding out results. With Glasner’s side in solid form, the Eagles could very well frustrate the Red Devils and leave Manchester with a valuable point.
Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace
What’s your prediction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!