As Manchester United prepare to take on Crystal Palace this weekend, manager Erik ten Hag faces a few selection dilemmas, particularly with the squad’s rotation and ongoing injury concerns. United are keen to maintain momentum following their recent performances, including a commanding 7-0 victory over Barnsley, but they will be without key players as they head to Selhurst Park.
Garnacho’s Role in Focus
One of the major talking points ahead of the clash is whether Alejandro Garnacho will be included in the starting XI. Despite his impressive form, including a brace in the midweek demolition of Barnsley, the Argentine winger has made only two starts this season. While Garnacho has been vital off the bench, Erik ten Hag remains non-committal about his place in the starting lineup.
Addressing the media, Ten Hag explained, “There will be rotation. The conclusion from all of you is not right when I pick an XI that I drop a player. I pick a starting XI because I know I will have to change. We have more than 11 players who can be in the lineup of any match in this moment.”
This statement reflects Ten Hag’s desire to maintain flexibility within his squad, which will be crucial given Manchester United’s packed fixture schedule and ongoing injury problems.
Injury Boosts and Key Absentees
United have been handed some good news on the injury front. Striker Rasmus Højlund and midfielder Mason Mount, both crucial players in Ten Hag’s plans, returned to group training earlier this week. This is a significant boost as the club has been plagued by injuries, with notable absentees such as Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelöf still unavailable for selection.
Raphaël Varane, who returned from injury earlier in the season, will likely partner Lisandro Martínez in central defense, while Diogo Dalot and new loanee Sergio Reguilón are expected to continue in the full-back positions. Reguilón’s participation, however, depends on his recovery from a minor illness(
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In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat and Bruno Fernandes are expected to start, with Hannibal Mejbri potentially playing a more prominent role after his recent impressive displays. The young midfielder has caught the eye with his tenacity and work rate, and his inclusion could provide United with much-needed energy in the center of the park.
Predicted Manchester United Lineup
Given the injury list and recent rotations, Ten Hag’s likely starting XI against Crystal Palace could look like this:
Predicted XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Reguilón; Casemiro, Amrabat, Fernandes; Rashford, Højlund, Mount.
Key players such as Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes will lead the attacking threat, with Rashford expected to play on the left wing and Fernandes orchestrating play from midfield. New signing Rasmus Højlund will likely start as the center-forward, continuing to build his chemistry with the team.
Kick-Off Details and Broadcast Information
The match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace will kick off at 5:30 PM BST on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Selhurst Park. Fans can catch the game live on Sky Sports or stream it via Sky Go.
This fixture promises to be an exciting battle as Manchester United look to build on their recent performances, but with several key players still sidelined, it will be interesting to see how Erik ten Hag manages his squad rotation and tactical setup. Crystal Palace, no strangers to upsetting big teams, will also be eager to capitalize on any weakness in United’s squad.
Stay tuned for Ten Hag’s pre-match press conference, where more updates on player fitness and lineup changes will be revealed.
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