Jose Mourinho’s men were victorious in their most recent top-flight encounter, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Southampton thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s first-half goal. After controlling proceedings throughout the opening 45 minutes, the Red Devils had to dig in as Southampton threw everything at them after the interval. Mourinho was pleased with his side’s resolve and discipline as they stood firm to keep Saints out, with the win on the south coast ensuring they remain level on points with table-toppers Manchester City – who possess a superior goal difference. Securing a sixth win in seven games this weekend would represent a fantastic start to the season for United, who are targeting their first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Palace’s 5-0 thrashing by City last time out means they are still awaiting their first point – and first goal – of the campaign. It has been a truly disastrous start to 2017/18 for the south Londoners, who have already sacked Frank de Boer and hired Roy Hodgson in his place. The 70-year-old has a huge job on his hands to keep Palace’s heads above water this term; although the squad contains plenty of talent and should be good enough for a mid-table finish, the Eagles have given themselves a tremendous amount of work to do after amassing zero points from the first 18 available.
United will have to make do without Michael Carrick (knock), Marouane Fellaini (ankle), Paul Pogba (hamstring), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee) and Marcos Rojo (knee), while Phil Jones and Anthony Martial are both carrying knocks and will be assessed before kick-off. Ander Herrera is likely to start alongside Nemanja Matic in midfield, with central striker Romelu Lukaku set to be supported by Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata. Ashley Young has returned to the fold in recent weeks and could switch over to left-back after starting on the other flank against CSKA Moscow in midweek, with Antonio Valencia in line to return at right-back as Mourinho shifts back to a four-man defensive line. David de Gea has conceded in only one of his six Premier League appearances this term and will fancy his chances of recording another clean sheet given the Eagles’ woes in front of goal in 2017/18.
Palace remain without winger Wilfried Zaha, who spent time at United earlier in his career, and long-term absentee Connor Wickham (both knee), while loanee Tim Fosu-Mensah is unable to play against his parent club. The biggest injury issue, however, concerns Christian Benteke – previously the only fit centre-forward in Hodgson’s squad – after the Belgium international damaged his knee ligaments in the heavy loss to Manchester City. Palace’s failure to sign a back-up striker in the summer transfer window always looked like a mistake waiting to happen, with winger Bakary Sako and youngster Freddie Lapado the two leading contenders to spearhead the side in Benteke’s absence. Worryingly for Palace fans, the former has scored three goals in the last two years and the latter, signed from non-league outfit Margate in March 2016, has never played in the Premier League.
It is difficult to look past a comfortable United triumph here, but there is little value to be had in simply backing a simple home win. Instead, consider 2-0 or 3-0 in the correct scoreline market, with a United victory to nil another option worth considering. As far as an anytime goalscorer goes, ignore the obvious in Lukaku and perhaps opt for Mata or Mkhitaryan instead.
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