Manchester United host Crystal Palace in the Premier League as they gear up for their final game of the season.
United come into the match on the back of a goalless draw with Southampton, which made sure that they’ll finish the season in sixth place. They are now six points behind Arsenal with only one game left to play. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, thrashed Hull City 4-0 in their previous league match last weekend. They are now 13th in the table with 41 points, and if they win this match and other matches go their way, they could still end up 11th, ahead of Leicester City and West Ham United.
United remain without long-term absentees Ibrahimovic, Rojo, Shaw, Young, and Fosu-Mensah, while it is unclear if Fellaini would be available after his substitution due to an injury scare against Southampton. Mourinho has already revealed that he’ll start Joel Pereira in goal, and up to 6 United reserves could be involved in the match, as they’re prioritising the Europa League Final on May 24. Players like McTominay and Willock are likely to be included in Mourinho’s starting eleven. United are likely to play the match trying to avoid another defeat, which would be their third in four matches.
Crystal Palace remain without Sakho, Townsend, Wickham and Souare, who’re all expected to return next season. There remains a doubt over Cabaye, Dann, Tomkins and Ward’s availability for Allardyce’s side, who’re most likely to line up with a highly attacking formation, and it’ll be up to Benteke and Zaha to deliver the goals for the team languishing in the 13th place.
Crystal Palace will, without a doubt, be out to win, while Mourinho’s men would probably be satisfied with even a draw, as this match has no importance for them, apart from helping the boss finalise his team against Ajax and boosting the team’s morale ahead of the Stockholm game. However, being an optimistic United fan, I still believe that United possess the quality to be able to dispatch a full-strength Palace side with a second string team. What remains to be seen is if Palace can take home three points simply by just wanting it more.