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Manchester United will look to earn their fourth win on the trot in all competitions after they host Crystal Palace of their Premier League conflict this afternoon.
Following a dismal attacking show in opposition to Fulham during which Man United managed to etch out a slender 1-0 win after taking simply 4 pictures in complete, the crew appeared way more assured on the assault of their subsequent match in opposition to FCSB.
Supervisor Ruben Amorim would have little doubt been impressed together with his facet’s uncooked goalscoring want, taking a mammoth 21 pictures in opposition to FCSB, with eight being registered as massive possibilities.
What’s extra, the 2-0 victory got here at a vital time, with United reserving their automated spot within the UEFA Europa League knockouts in consequence.
Along with being a far improved attacking show, the United defence carried out admirably as properly, securing back-to-back clear sheets after what felt like a clear sheet drought. In reality, you would need to return to December 1 when United thumped Everton 4-0 to seek out the final time Amorim’s defence was in a position to maintain regular all through a full match.
Given these enhancements in each assault and defence, United needs to be in prime situation to come back away with a end result in opposition to a struggling Palace crew, who’re sitting in thirteenth place within the Premier League desk, simply two factors behind the 12-placed United.
Nonetheless, this match shouldn’t be a walkover, given Palace’s strengths in sure areas of gameplay.
If there’s one space the place Palace have excelled this season, it’s in defence. Conceding 30 targets in 23 matches, Oliver Glasner’s facet has confirmed resolute on the again, with solely six groups within the league conceding fewer targets. In reality, Palace are tied with Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea on targets conceded.
Of their final 5 matches in all competitions, Palace have conceded simply three targets whereas conserving three clear sheets.
Notably, their attacking has additionally improved, with seven targets in these 5 video games, together with notable 2-0 away wins in opposition to each West Ham United and Leicester Metropolis. In addition they held their very own in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. (Transfermarkt)
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been one to observe for Palace, with the striker scoring each targets within the West Ham triumph. Along with the penalty he transformed, Mateta scored from exterior the field with a long-range strike from a central place.
He additionally scored the opening purpose within the Leicester Metropolis sport per week prior, proving his goal-poaching expertise but once more with a close-range strike.
Within the Chelsea draw, it was Mateta who got here to the rescue but once more, scoring from shut vary to equalise within the 82nd minute.
United’s again three will have to be on full alert when coming face-to-face with the Frenchman, who has turn into the guests’ major supply of targets in current occasions.
Nonetheless, he’s not the one one who has been posing an imminent hazard within the field. Centre-back Marc Guehi has confirmed to be an unlikely risk in entrance of purpose that United shouldn’t take their eye off of.
Guehi has scored three targets within the league this season. Within the away victory over Leicester, he scored with an exceptional left-footed volley off of a free-kick.
The Palace captain scored with one other left-footed strike within the 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, though that point from a nook.
In a 2-1 loss to Everton early within the season, Guehi proved how deadly he’s from corners but once more, scoring together with his proper foot handy the guests an early lead.
Whereas United’s assault ought to be certain that to proceed to supply the identical artistic passing and dynamic use of area as they did in opposition to FCSB, the defence could face a mammoth job given the hazards that Palace pose.
Not solely is Mateta proving a scientific finisher from close- and far-range, however Guehi is especially harmful from corners and free-kicks – an issue space that United have struggled to treatment this whole season.
Optimum focus will likely be required to maintain Palace out as United look to get one other dwelling win on the board.
Featured picture Shaun Botterill through Getty Pictures
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