English Premier League Match Preview
A month before now, everything was looking in order at the Old Trafford for the first time since the departure of Sir Alex. Wins were coming on a whole-sale rate, as were the applause that had become so scarce in David Moyes era as rain in a desert.
Manchester United’s defeat against West Brom means that the Red devils have lost 3 games in a row, for the first time since August 2001.
While they are still better from the Dark Age, that was last season, there are muted cries among the pundits of the comparison of this side with the ill-fated side of last season.
Since that defeat at Chelsea which Louis Van Gaal described as his side’s “Best performance of the season”, it seems that his boys have taken the wrong meaning of his words. While against Everton they were poor, defeat at home to West Brom even after enjoying 80% of the possession means the Red devils are still lacking the cutting edge.
And with 3 defeats in the last 3 with not a single goal scored, Louis Van Gaal’s project is just a single slip away from disaster.
Defeat against Chelsea was expected, against Everton it was bitter, and however, that rare home defeat against the Baggies has taken the misery in the Old Trafford residents to another level. For a crowd that is so used to lifting Premier League titles at this stage of the season, 3 defeats in a row is bound to get them agitated.
However, they still have one thing to cling on, the magical place for the 4th spot and mercifully for Louis Van Gaal, they can afford 4th defeat in a row. But when you talk about affording things, they could have afforded 1 more year of David Moyes, 1 more season with Champions League, thus, when it comes to Manchester United, affording is the last word the Old Trafford folklore is used to hear.
And like a snake that is waiting for the last push on its prey, Crystal Palace would be hoping to pile the misery on its guests. Never been a hunting ground for the big teams around it, Selhurst Park would be the last stadium – or maybe 2nd last when you count Britannia Stadium – any big team in such a form will want to visit.
Looking at the team news for Manchester United, and the big question is regarding the fitness of one player: Michael Carrick. And why shouldn’t they be sweating upon the fitness of a player who whenever started a game for Manchester United this season, they have won 72% of those.
But breaking the bad news for the Manchester United faithful, Michael Carrick is still sidelined. So as they say that you can endure what you cannot cure, Wayne Rooney is expected to remain in the midfield.
Thus, in the absence of their favorite son, here is how Manchester United are expected to lineup: –
Manchester United lineup:
De Gea – Smalling – Valencia – Jones – Blind – Rooney – Young – Mata – Falcao – Fellaini – Herrera
Barclays Premier League: How will Manchester United lineup against Crystal Palace
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