Manchester United will look to earn their fourth win on the trot in all competitions when they host Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash this afternoon.
Following a dismal attacking display against Fulham in which Man United managed to etch out a slender 1-0 win after taking just four shots in total, the team appeared far more confident on the attack in their subsequent match against FCSB.
Manager Ruben Amorim would have no doubt been impressed with his side’s raw goalscoring desire, taking a mammoth 21 shots against FCSB, with eight being registered as big chances.
What’s more, the 2-0 victory came at a crucial time, with United booking their automatic spot in the UEFA Europa League knockouts as a result.
In addition to being a far improved attacking display, the United defence performed admirably as well, securing back-to-back clean sheets after what felt like a clean sheet drought. In fact, you would have to go back to December 1 when United thumped Everton 4-0 to find the last time Amorim’s defence was able to hold steady throughout a full match.
Given these improvements in both attack and defence, United should be in prime condition to come away with a result against a struggling Palace team, who are sitting in 13th place in the Premier League table, just two points behind the 12-placed United.
Still, this match shouldn’t be a walkover, given Palace’s strengths in certain areas of gameplay.
If there’s one area where Palace have excelled this season, it’s in defence. Conceding 30 goals in 23 matches, Oliver Glasner’s side has proven resolute at the back, with only six teams in the league conceding fewer goals. In fact, Palace are tied with Manchester City and Chelsea on goals conceded.
In their last five matches in all competitions, Palace have conceded just three goals while keeping three clean sheets.
Notably, their attacking has also improved, with seven goals in those five games, including notable 2-0 away wins against both West Ham United and Leicester City. They also held their own in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. (Transfermarkt)
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been one to watch for Palace, with the striker scoring both goals in the West Ham triumph. In addition to the penalty he converted, Mateta scored from outside the box with a long-range strike from a central position.
He also scored the opening goal in the Leicester City game a week prior, proving his goal-poaching talent yet again with a close-range strike.
In the Chelsea draw, it was Mateta who came to the rescue yet again, scoring from close range to equalise in the 82nd minute.
United’s back three will need to be on full alert when coming face-to-face with the Frenchman, who has become the visitors’ primary source of goals in recent times.
Still, he’s not the only one who has been posing an imminent danger in the box. Centre-back Marc Guehi has proven to be an unlikely threat in front of goal that United should not take their eye off of.
Guehi has scored three goals in the league this season. In the away victory over Leicester, he scored with a phenomenal left-footed volley off of a free-kick.
The Palace captain scored with another left-footed strike in the 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, although that time from a corner.
In a 2-1 loss to Everton early in the season, Guehi proved how lethal he is from corners yet again, scoring with his right foot to hand the visitors an early lead.
While United’s attack should make sure to continue to produce the same creative passing and dynamic use of space as they did against FCSB, the defence may face a mammoth task given the dangers that Palace pose.
Not only is Mateta proving a clinical finisher from close- and far-range, but Guehi is particularly dangerous from corners and free-kicks – a problem area that United have struggled to remedy this entire season.
Optimal focus will be required to keep Palace out as United look to get another home win on the board.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
