Crystal Palace vs Manchester United – FA Cup – Preview

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Sreya

Crystal Palace stand in the way of Manchester United on 21st May, Saturday when Louis van Gaal’s side aims to finish a disappointing season with FA Cup win at the New Wembley.

It has been a disappointing season for English football’s most successful club with Manchester United finishing outside the top four and failing to progress deep into the European campaign.

Speculations have been rife regarding Louis van Gaal’s future and only a FA Cup win could buy the Dutch manager some time at Old Trafford.

Team News

Kwesi Appiah, Marouane Chamakh, Joe Ledley and Brade Hangeland are sidelined through injuries but Wilfried Zaha is all set to make a return. For Manchester United, Will Keane, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj and Luke Shaw will miss the game. Marouane Fellaini returns from suspension.

Crystal Palace Possible Starting Lineup: Wayne Hennessey, Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Pape Souare, Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur, Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“They keep the ball really well. We’re going to have to be patient at times. We are going to be the side that needs to fight that bit harder to win, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. We have got areas of the pitch where I think we’re slightly superior and we’ve got to make those areas count.”

– Alan Pardew, Crystal Palace.

“Always your starting point is to impress and perform well. That depends on a lot of factors, including your opponent. Then you get a fantastic match. Our starting point is to win well and score beautiful goals.

But if we win 1-0 that is also enough. Winning is the most important thing in a final, otherwise you have nothing.”

– Louis van Gaal, Manchester United.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Manchester United have won their five of their last six matches against Crystal Palace. Undefeated against Crystal Palace in ten matches in all competitions, Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in five of those games.

Manchester United have won five of their last six FA Cup matches. Although Crystal Palace have won their last five FA Cup matches, a win for Manchester United with a 1-0 scoreline is the more likely outcome of this particular game.