Predicted Manchester United lineup vs Crystal Palace, Anthony Martial starts

Manchester United entertain basement club Crystal Palace in this weekend’s Premier League encounter from Old Trafford. The Red Devils have remained unbeaten since the start of the campaign, and they will relish their chance of challenging the Eagles, who achieved an unwanted record last weekend. Roy Hodgson’s side became the first English professional club in history to lose their first six games of the season without scoring.

Formation: 3-5-2

Lineup:

David de Gea has been in bright form for club and country this term, and he is expected to take up the gloves for United this weekend. With doubts over the fitness of Phil Jones, Jose Mourinho could opt for a three-man backline, which worked well during the 4-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow in midweek. As a result, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof could take up the central defensive positions with the latter making his Premier League debut. Antonio Valencia has been ever-present in the top-flight this term, and he is likely to retain a spot in a slightly forward, right wing-back role. Ashley Young has started at left-back in the previous two league games, but Mourinho could opt for a change with Daley Blind featuring at left wing-back.

The midfield is likely to see the combination of Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic with Marouane Fellaini still nursing an ankle knock sustained at St.Mary’s last weekend. Taking it as a 3-5-2, Henrikh Mkhitaryan could feature in an advanced attacking role with Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku playing in a two-striker partnership up front. Martial had a glowing presence alongside Lukaku at the VEB Arena, and there was a typical telepathic communication between them with the former providing two assists and a goal in an eye-catching performance. Despite this, Martial has surprisingly been excluded from the France squad, although he could take it as a motivation to perform better.

Image – Getty