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Manchester United will look to earn their fourth win on the trot in all competitions once they host Crystal Palace of their Premier League conflict this afternoon.
Following a dismal attacking show towards Fulham through which Man United managed to etch out a slender 1-0 win after taking just four shots in complete, the workforce appeared much more assured on the assault of their subsequent match towards FCSB.
Supervisor Ruben Amorim would have little question been impressed together with his aspect’s uncooked goalscoring need, taking a mammoth 21 shots towards FCSB, with eight being registered as massive possibilities.
What’s extra, the 2-0 victory got here at a vital time, with United booking their automatic spot within the UEFA Europa League knockouts because of this.
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. The truth is, you would need to return to December 1 when United thumped Everton 4-0 to search out the final time Amorim’s defence was capable of maintain regular all through a full match.
Given these enhancements in each assault and defence, United must be in prime situation to come back away with a consequence towards a struggling Palace workforce, 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 objectives in 23 matches, Oliver Glasner’s aspect has confirmed resolute on the again, with solely six groups within the league conceding fewer objectives. The truth is, Palace are tied with Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea on objectives conceded.
Of their final 5 matches in all competitions, Palace have conceded simply three objectives whereas preserving three clear sheets.
Notably, their attacking has additionally improved, with seven objectives in these 5 video games, together with notable 2-0 away wins towards 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 objectives within the West Ham triumph. Along with the penalty he transformed, Mateta scored from outdoors the field with a long-range strike from a central place.
He additionally scored the opening aim 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 must be on full alert when coming face-to-face with the Frenchman, who has turn into the guests’ main supply of objectives in latest 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 menace in entrance of aim that United mustn’t take their eye off of.
Guehi has scored three objectives within the league this season. Within the away victory over Leicester, he scored with an outstanding 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 corner.
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 to proceed to provide the identical artistic passing and dynamic use of area as they did towards FCSB, the defence could face a mammoth activity given the risks 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 complete season.
Optimum focus will probably be required to maintain Palace out as United look to get one other residence win on the board.
Featured picture Shaun Botterill through Getty Photos
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