Crystal Palace vs Man United: Red Devils Target Sixth Place Finish Ahead of Final Match of The Season

Crystal Palace vs Man United: Red Devils Target Sixth Place Finish Ahead of Final Match of The Season

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
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  • Manchester United are scheduled to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their last fixture of the season
  • The match comes just days after the Red Devils were hammered 4-0 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium
  • United will therefore be desperate to bounce back to winning ways against a Palace side who also suffered a defeat in their last outing against Everton

Manchester United will be looking to seal a sixth-place finish during their trip to Crystal Palace in what will be their last match of the 2021/22 season.

United are assured of European football next season despite a frustrating campaign that has seen them end the season without a trophy.

Juan Mata, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Bruno Fernandes, and Alex Telles of Manchester United in action during a first-team training session at Carrington Training Ground. Photo by Tom Purslow.
Juan Mata, Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Bruno Fernandes, and Alex Telles of Manchester United in action during a first-team training session at Carrington Training Ground. Photo by Tom Purslow.
Source: Getty Images

Ralf Rangnick's charges currently sit sixth on the standings with 58 points, two ahead of West Ham United who occupy seventh place.

Match Preview

Having suffered a 4-0 heavy defeat away at Brighton, United will be desperate to return back to winning ways with the hope of ending the season on a positive note.

Incoming United boss, Erik ten Hag, is expected at Selhurst Park to get a glimpse of his players as he prepares to take over from Rangnick.

Palace, meanwhile, have had a largely successful season under Patrick Vieira.

The Eagles could finish as high as 10th on the charts depending on the outcome of their match against the Red Devils.

Vieira's men's four-game unbeaten streak was brought to a halt in their last outing against Everton, with the clash ending in a 3-2 win for the Toffees.

Team News

Vieira has a number of injury concerns to deal with ahead of Man United's visit, with as many as five players expected to miss the encounter.

Palace are expected to miss the services of Marc Guehi due to the ankle injury that he picked against Everton, while Nathan Ferguson and Michael Olise are also sidelined.

The duo of James Tomkins and James McArthur are also major doubts.

In the United camp, Phil Jones and Jadon Sancho are out of the clash, while Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly battling a hip injury.

In the absence of Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes could be drafted in attack to play as a false No.9.

Possible starting XI

Crystal Palace:

Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Kouyate, Mitchell; Gallagher, Milivojevic, Eze; Ayew, Mateta, Zaha

Man United:

De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Telles; Fred, McTominay, Matic; Elanga, Fernandes, Rashford

Man City set sights on Premier League glory

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Manchester City are scheduled to host Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium in their final game of the 2021/22 season.

Pep Guardiola's men need to beat Aston Villa to be sure of lifting the Premier League title ahead of rivals, Liverpool.

City currently top the standings with 90 points, one ahead of Liverpool who will be playing Wolves in their last fixture of the campaign.

Authors
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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
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