Team News
For Manchester United, the game against Crystal Palace may prove to be the first opportunity for fans to watch three new players. Marouane Fellaini, signed from Moyes' former team Everton on deadline day, looks set to make his home debut in United's midfield. Although Fellaini played as many as four positions while at Everton, he was purchased primarily as cover for Michael Carrick, whose contributions have been instrumental over the past two seasons. But fans worldwide will certainly hope that Moyes also finds room for Shinji Kagawa, who has yet to play a single minute in a competitive match. As Wayne Rooney will still be out following his nasty collision with Phil Jones, Kagawa may be given the opportunity to audition for the central role behind Robin van Persie, which was his natural position at Borussia Dortmund. Finally, Wilfried Zaha (shown above in Crystal Palace colors last year) may be given the chance to run out against his former side. Zaha, a pacy winger, was (refreshingly) willing to take on and beat players during United's preseason tour, but his final ball and finishing are clearly lacking. David Moyes may put him on as a substitute if the game is already sewn up. Crystal Palace come into this game in a bit of turmoil. Their 25-man roster was finalized without some mainstays who helped them gain promotion last season, including midfielder Owen Garvan and Stephen Dobbie, who both featured against Tottenham in their first game of the season. With defender Florian Marange also voicing his displeasure on Twitter over his exclusion from the squad, and new signing Jack Hunt breaking his ankle after two weeks at the club, Palace manager Ian Holloway has plenty of headaches before one of his most difficult games of the season. However, Holloway will not even be on the touchline at Old Trafford, as he has been banned the next two games for comments made about the officiating following the loss against Tottenham. But it is not all doom and gloom for the Eagles: following that win against Sunderland that gave them their first points in the Premier League, Palace downed the country of Oman 2-0 in a friendly at Selhurst Park on Tuesday.
Match Preview
Interestingly enough, the last time these two met ended in a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup. A Darren Ambrose thunderbolt was canceled out by Federico Macheda's second-half penalty (what a forgotten man he is), but Palace's Glenn Murray headed home in extra time to dump United out in the quarterfinals. Wilfried Zaha starred for Palace, with his mazy runs possibly convincing Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him two seasons later. The Eagles have brought in more than 15 players during the transfer window, both to cope with the loss of their best player, Zaha, and to have enough quality to survive over 38 games this season. However, a victory at home against Sunderland was a great confidence-builder, and expect Ian Holloway to name a largely-unchanged side, including Danny Gabbidon, Jason Puncheon, and Marouane Chamakh. United's home game against Palace kicks off a difficult week, with Bayer Leverkusen visiting on Tuesday for the first Champions League game under David Moyes, followed by a massive encounter against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. With players always returning in various states of fitness following an international break, Moyes will have to be shrewd in his team selection for the game against Palace. Knowing that fans will expect a decimation of a promoted side at home and a much-needed boost of confidence following the loss against Liverpool, Moyes will also have to make sure the proper players are rested for the Leverkusen and City games. Clearly, United have more quality all over the field. But after such tepid displays against Chelsea and Liverpool, they may be suffering a crisis of confidence. Crystal Palace have nothing to lose, knowing they are expected to get nothing from this game.
Possible Player Lineups
Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Fellaini, Valencia, Kagawa, Nani, van Persie
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Gabbidon, Moxey, Puncheon, Campana, Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Gayle, Chamakh
Prediction
Naturally, Manchester United are overwhelming favorites to win at home against a promoted side. Crystal Palace may sneak a goal due to United's shuffled lineup, but United will have too much attacking talent for the Eagles to withstand. 3-1 United. source -
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