United could secure their third win in succession when they face Crystal Palace today
When Manchester United plays Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon, they will be hoping for a case of deja vu because their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup midweek was perhaps their most comfortable performance of the season.
Erik ten Hag will be seeking United’s fourth league victory of the 2023–24 campaign, and they must gain ground quickly because Manchester City currently leads the standings, nine points clear of the Red Devils.
The Dutchman may make a few changes ahead of the tie in order to freshen up his starting XI.
What’s the Manchester United team news vs Crystal Palace?
Due to injury issues, Lisandro Martinez and Sergio Reguilon won’t be playing for the Old Trafford team this afternoon, but Ten Hag has provided some encouraging news on the addition of some players.
“We saw some players return on Tuesday, and tomorrow, the players who were absent from the squad for Tuesday will return: Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen,” he stated. They’ve returned.
This may allow him to shuffle his midfield around a bit, yet there should be a change further up the field, with Rasmus Hojlund coming on for Anthony Martial to lead the line against the Eagles.
Will Rasmus Hojlund start for Manchester United vs Crystal Palace?
The £85k-per-week striker has made just five appearances since joining the club during the summer transfer window from Atalanta due to an injury problem, and he has scored once, against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The match today represents an opportunity for Ten Hag to unleash him from the first whistle in order to give him more game time and a chance to grab a goal or two in the process ahead of tougher tasks.
He has started twice in the Premier League so far, and while he hasn’t scored, the youngster has taken 1.3 shots per game while averaging 0.7 key passes per game, and he could certainly improve these statistics upon featuring more.
His display against Bayern was excellent, and it offered Ten Hag a glimpse into just what the Danish striker is capable of if he remains consistent.
Making his first start in the competition for the Red Devils, Hojlund received a Sofascore rating of 7.2 for his performance which included his first goal for the club while he also won 100% of his aerial duels, took two shots and lost possession just five times in what was a productive evening on a personal level, despite the 4-3 defeat.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig previously hailed the youngster as being a “monster in the making” after he scored five goals across his first two games for Denmark and if given the opportunity to lead the United frontline, he will go on to prove he is worth the hype.
