Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
English Premier League
Date: Saturday, 19 September 2020
Kick-off at 17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Venue: Old Trafford.
Match preview
Even with an extra week given to those who reach the latter stages of Europe last season, this is a quick turnaround for a United side that summer vacation will last for only one month and three days.
The true meaning of which may not be known fully until most of the season unfolds, but Solskjaer will know that his team needs to hit the ground running immediately.
A third place finish last season means that their primary goal for the upcoming campaign is to close the gap on top two Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as building an encouraging second half of 2019-20.
Indeed, the Red Devils start their new season with the longest unbeaten streak in progress in the Premier League, after finishing last season on a 14-game run without defeat stretching back to January.
The shape of the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood attract particular praise during that time, but there is still a feeling among fans that they need to strengthen this summer.
Transfer window begins with understandable excitement as the United linked with a number of star names - especially Jadon Sancho - but Donny van de Beek is just a new name through the door in time for the new season.
The Red Devils seem to have missed out on Sergio Reguilon, Gareth Bale and Thiago Alcantara to rival Premier League, while the saga Sancho rumble on, and when you throw off field problems captain Harry Maguire and Greenwood into the mix as well, he has not yet summer ideal for the championship 20 times.
Things in the field could be better too, with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa only their pre-season contest.
The host will be the favorites going into Saturday's game, but they will also be alert to the fact that one of their two home defeats in the league last season came at the hands of opponents this weekend.
It was a memorable Old Trafford victory is the only time the Palace never beaten United in the Premier League era, though, so if the Eagles were able to go home with a positive result again on Saturday then it will be the achievement of some significance.
Roy Hodgson will surely believes that his team can do it; they beat Southampton on the opening day of the season to get to a winning start, although statistics show that specialists go Southampton went into the match as favorites.
Players star - and former England winger - Wilfried Zaha showed signs of getting back to his best after an underwhelming campaign last season, and the club seems to have addressed the lack of goals in 2019-20 by Michy Batshuayi re-sign the loan.
Chelsea man makes second debut for the Eagles in midweek but drew a blank as the Palace were eventually dumped out of the cup by Championship Bournemouth EFL following outstanding penalties.
The first 20 spot-kicks in before the two guards missed, and then Luka Milivojevic saw was stored after the order coming full circle as Bournemouth won a 11-10 shootout at Vitality Stadium.
The palace will have no worries about getting back out on the road again, though; they won a league match last season's farther from both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal and the will fancy their chances of causing England problems at the table with their fast attackers.
Team News
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has undergone pre-season is quite depressing, has just had a full first team squad available this week.
There are fitness doubts regarding the number of players, including Paul Pogba, who has recently been overcome COVID-19.
American head coach also must make a big decision about who starts in goal on Saturday. Dean Henderson, back from a loan spell to challenge De Gea for the No.1 spot, start their pre-season friendly only, as De Gea is one of them too late to report for training.
new signing Donny van de Beek is expected to make his full debut after featuring against Aston Villa in a friendly match last weekend.
Mason Greenwood has had a nightmare a few weeks off the field and may not feature here, at least from the beginning.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be hoping to start against his boyhood club, but he also has lost a bit of pre-season training and it would not be a surprise to see Brandon Williams get the nod on Saturday.
Luke Shaw missed last season because of injury but marked his return against Villa last weekend. Axel Tuanzebe still injured.
Mamadou Sakho back from injury at the Crystal Palace features a midweek cup exit to Bournemouth but will be out of the side on Saturday.
Eberechi Yeh should make full league debut for Palace here, with Michy Batshuayi also ready to march against the British after their loans from Chelsea.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Predictions
The Glaziers recorded a 1-0 home win final-day match against Southampton. However, it was their first league match of the season. Last time around, they had ended their campaign in eight games without a win (in the process they have gone through a seven-game losing run).
On the other hand, at this time, the Devils are in the 13-fixture unbeaten in the OT, and in the last ten months, they have lost just three times at home.
Happen, man Solskjaer is also one of the best teams in the country - and has been so for the last century. They have set high targets for this season, and it was absolutely necessary that they start with a win.
In addition, they have a phenomenal record against rival h2h this for years.
For that reason, expect superior performance from Manchester United on Saturday.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Betting Tips
Over 1.5 Goals Team Manchester United @ 1.40 (2/5)
Manchester United -1 Asian Handicap @ 1.50 (1/2).
