Palace Preview: How new-look midfield battle could be crucial at Old Trafford

Match previews

25 Jan 2023

Crystal Palace will look to make it three wins in four visits to Old Trafford as they take on Manchester United on Saturday, 4th February (15:00 GMT).

Past meetings

There is a sense of déjà vu for Palace fans as a match-up with Manchester United awaits – it has been just three weeks since the last meeting at Selhurst Park in January. The Eagles will hope for a repeat of their late heroics on that occasion, with Michael Olise’s stunning 92nd minute free-kick seeing the points shared.

The last visit to Old Trafford saw Fred score the only goal as the home side came out on top in Ralf Ragnick’s first game in charge, but Palace were victorious in the previous two games at Old Trafford before that.

Match Action: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United

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Preview

A busy end to the transfer window saw Palace bring in two new faces: Albert Sambi Lokonga and Naouirou Ahamada from Arsenal and Stuttgart respectively. Whether one or both will feature at Old Trafford remains to be season, but it adds plenty of depth in midfield for Patrick Vieira.

Palace have been out of action for two weeks with the Premier League making way for FA Cup action, and so Vieira has had plenty of time to drill his players after two positive results against Man Utd and Newcastle before the break.

“I think the game today showed us that the other side of the game is really important,” Vieira said after the Newcastle draw. “It’s not just about playing, having the ball and trying to play some nice football – today was all about defending well, sticking together, working well at set-pieces, defending the second ball, and making it really difficult for them.”

The fixture list has hardly been kind, and Palace’s Premier League run reads as follows: Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Manchester United. Some luck.

The Eagles travel to Old Trafford to take on a side full of confidence under Erik ten Hag. Man Utd have won 12 straight games at home – their longest run since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge – and are still competing in four competitions, with a Europa League tie against Barcelona and the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle to come this month.

They, too, dipped their toes into the January window, and Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer have arrived on loan after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and the injury to Christan Eriksen.

Tactical overview

Two new midfield signings only intensify the competition to start alongside Cheick Doucouré, and both Lokonga and Ahamada could make their debuts in central midfield, while Will Hughes, Luka Milivojvic and Jeff Schlupp are also among the options.

This could free up Ebere Eze to play in a more advanced position, with Michael Olise also comfortable operating centrally or out wide.

The absence of Eriksen breaks up ten Hag’s favoured midfield trio of the Dane, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, and Fred could come into the starting lineup – or new signing Sabitzer. It may mean a battle of two new-look midfield combinations at Old Trafford.

In attack, both Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial made their returns against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening – with the former operating in a new No. 10 role behind the striker – while Marcus Rashford will be looking to continue his scintillating post-World Cup form.

Match details

Saturday, 4th February
15:00 GMT
Old Trafford
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

How to follow

Watch live

The game will not be broadcast in the UK

Watching from abroad? You can check Premier League broadcast details wherever you are in the world by clicking here.

On Palace TV+

Live audio commentary Man Utd v Palace will be available on Palace TV+, a subscription service that gives subscribers live access to selected Academy match broadcasts, live audio commentary of all league and cup first-team games, and much more.

Find out more by clicking here.

Social media

You can check out our Instagram story for all of the pre-match build-up and our official Twitter page is bringing you up-to-the-minute match updates, eye-catching photos and more.

Our club website, cpfc.co.uk, is the place to go for team news on the dot, an instant report and all the post-match votes.

The official app

The official Palace app’s match centre and live blog is the place to be for everything you need during the Man Utd clash. With live stats and alerts, a running match commentary feed and lineups the moment they’re released as well as post-match reaction from Palace TV+, there’s no need to leave the app to follow the Eagles’ efforts.

Download our app for free here!

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