Key events
Both Palace and United are playing 3-4-3 today, so both sides will be effectively marking each other man-to-man. Both managers have spoken to TNT about the tactical battle today.
Palace’s Oliver Glasner: “It’s a funny story. It’s the third game within one week and always facing 3-4-3. It’s an interesting challenge. We always know what we want to do, regardless of the opposition system. It’s all about where we can find the spaces, how quick we can come away from tight areas. If we find the overloads and we are efficient, it will be crucial and we have a good chance to win the game.”
Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim: “I make a rotation based upon training. If you train well, you are going to play. I think Palace fit our style. In the future we need to have more flexibility. It’s easy to compare the teams, it’s going to be a game man versus man.”
The teams!
Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.
Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Canvot, Devenny.
Manchester United (3-4-3): Lammens, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Zirkzee.
Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Martinez, Malacia, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo, Lacey.
There were some interesting comments from Amorim in the lead up to this game. The United manager suggested that the pressure of playing for United is causing Patrick Dorgu to lose confidence, make poor decisions on the pitch. The Danish wing back has dropped to the bench today, with Dalot preferred at left wing-back.
When I see them training they are doing so much better than in games,” he said. “Then Patrick, when I see him playing for the national team, he’s scored a great goal against Scotland [this month], the decision that he made under pressure was completely different [to calmly sidefoot home] to the decision[s] he’s making in our team. You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel it, the anxiety.”
Amorim cited Dorgu missing a chance to equalise in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Everton as an example.
I remember the shot against Everton [dragging it wide]. That was easier than the decision that he had to make [against] Scotland – and I saw [his quality] when he played in Italy. But again, here [United] is different and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve. I just need to understand the context in trying to help them [Dorgu and Dalot]. They are far from their best, and they know it. Like a lot of players in our team, like myself. I just look at them, and think they have so much more to give. So let’s see this week if we can improve that.”
Preamble
Well, isn’t this a novelty: a midday (GMT) kick-off on a Sunday. The roast dinner is gonna have to wait. Selhurst Park is looking replendent in this winter sunshine. For the Palace fans living in south London and beyond, it’s time to go to church.
Let’s see if the United fans make it to the away end, the first train left Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday at 8.05am and arrived at London Euston around the time that this liveblog launched. That gives them just under an hour to make a 45-minute journey, which is almost certain to be longer anyone that needs a snack/drink/the toilet or those that aren’t intimately familiar with London’s public transport. So basically everyone. The unusual kick-off time is a result of TNT Sports choosing it for broadcast (and Palace’s involvement in the Conference League on Thursday). Once again, it feels like the match-going fans have been forgotten about. Hmmm.
Rant over. This is such an intriguing game. Both sides could win it. If United are to come away with three points, they are going to have to drastically improve on Monday’s home defeat to 10-man Everton, perhaps the most toothless and disorganised defeat of the league season to end what had been a decent unbeaten run stretching back to September.
Palace also lost this week, away at Strasbourg in Europe, but have been mostly excellent this season and are 12 points better off than this stage last season, a league high. They are unbeaten against United at Selhurst in over five years. Who would bet against Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, two players linked with United in the last few months, turning on the style today for Palace?
Kick-off: midday (GMT).
