Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are in agreement about how Manchester United will fare against Crystal Palace on Sunday (March 1st). Michael Carrick’s side will be looking to make it six wins in seven games since he took charge.
A 1-0 win over Everton on Monday saw the Reds return to winning ways following a 1-1 draw against West Ham United. Benjamin Sesko again came to the rescue, coming off the bench and scoring a fantastic counter-attacking goal.
There’s every chance that Sesko finally gets his first start under Carrick when United host Palace this weekend. The Slovenian striker is chomping at the bit to prove he warrants the starting number nine role.
Neville and Scholes expect another win
United are on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, sitting fourth, three points above fifth-placed Chelsea. They are putting the pressure on third-placed Aston Villa who sit above them also by three points.
Neville and Scholes gave their predicted scoreline for the game at Old Trafford. Neville told Ian Wright and Roy Keane on the latest episode of Stick to Football:
“We’re going for 3-1 for United.”
Palace are enduring a difficult period amid uncertainty over Oliver Glasner’s short-term future. His side have won just two of their last 16 appearances across competitions.
A 1-0 win over 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers last Sunday alleviated some of the pressure on Glasner. He is leaving the South London outfit when his contract expires in June, but the board recently discussed potentially parting ways before the campaign concludes.
Keane and Wright’s thoughts
United’s 2-1 win at Selhurst Park back in November was their first victory over Sunday’s opponents in five meetings. The Reds suffered three defeats and one draw before taking all three points four months ago.
Wright and Keane alluded to this when discussing the upcoming encounter between the two sides. Both said:
“Palace always do well there.”
The punditry duo then acknowledged the two teams’ differing form when Keane said:
“United have got to beat Palace, surely? Palace got that big win [a 1-0 victory over 10-man Wolves] last week. That will relax them.”
Wright replied:
“I think this game might be a bridge too far [for Palace].”
United have the benefit of no midweek European football ahead of Sunday’s game, unlike Palace. Glasner’s men are in action tonight (February 26th) when they host Bosnian outfit Zrinjski Mostar in the second-leg of their Europa Conference League play-off.
Carrick’s Reds march on
It would be a real surprise if United’s unbeaten run were to end at home to Palace. The Premier League’s in-form team meets one of the worst perfoming sides.
There have been signs in recent weeks of Carrick having work to do to figure out low blocks. His side’s most dissapointing performance came in the draw away to West Ham.
Even so, the Reds still managed to nick a point in stoppage time, showing real determination that was arguably missing under Ruben Amorim. Full of confidence, this should be an easy three points.
