Manchester United take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Monday night.
Antony looked to have won three points for United when scoring against Burnley last weekend, but the Clarets equalised with a late penalty to ensure the points were shared. That result confirmed qualifying for the Champions League is now mathematically impossible and United must respond to that disappointment with a positive showing at Selhurst Park.
Palace have improved since the appointment of Oliver Glasner are unbeaten in their last four fixtures, an impressive run which includes a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. Regarding the team news, Marcus Rashford is expected to be absent through injury and Bruno Fernandes is a doubt, but Jonny Evans and Anthony Martial could return to the squad after their respective lay-offs. All team selections were made before the news on Sunday night that Harry Maguire will be out for three weeks through injury.
Here’s how our writers think United should line up…
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Samuel Luckhurst
There is logic to starting Aaron Wan-Bissaka on this occasion as Palace have two of the most electric wingers in the league. He also thwarted Wilfried Zaha at the death at Selhurst last year.
Mason Mount has not started in the Premier League for seven months but this is an opportunity for him to revive his United career. Casemiro has some rhythm at centre half alongside Maguire and it would be better for the latter not to have three different partners come the Arsenal game (provided Lisandro Martinez is fit).
Amad has still not started a meaningful game for United and his impacts off the bench this term have almost always been positive.
Tyrone Marshall
After fielding a makeshift defence recently it would make sense for Evans to return alongside Maguire, bringing another natural centre-back in against a team finding form and offering a real attacking threat under their new manager.
That would allow Casemiro to return to a defensive midfield role, with Mainoo for company. Ten Hag is sweating on the fitness of Fernandes but he has never missed a game for United through injury and doing so a few days after he suggested he could consider his future wouldn’t be a great look. Expect to see him leading the team out once again.
Antony finally scored in a Premier League goal last weekend and he can’t be dropped after that, especially with Rashford still not fully fit. Garnacho and Hojlund complete the front three.
Steven Railston
Evans must return to the starting line-up if he’s considered fit enough to play. Casemiro has played a handful of games as a central defender and should be relocated to his natural role.
Fernandes is a ‘doubt’ but he’s never missed a club game through injury in his career and it would be a surprise to see him lose that record after a nine-day break between games.
Although Antony took his goal well against Burnley, doing brilliantly to maintain his balance under pressure, time is running out to give Amad a meaningful opportunity and he could leave this summer without United understanding where his ceiling is.
George Smith
If he is deemed fit enough to start, Evans should. Maguire needs a natural centre-back alongside him and the prospect of Evans returning would allow Casemiro to return to his natural habitat in midfield.
Ten Hag has described Fernandes as a ‘doubt’ but he has never missed a game for United through injury. Considering Ten Hag made that admission on Thursday and United do not play until 8pm on Monday, would you not bet against the Portuguese ace starting in midfield.
After Antony scored his first Premier League goal in just over a year last time out, it would be harsh on him to be dropped. He should join forces with Hojlund and Garnacho in attack once again.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
