January 31st 2025.
It's been a rollercoaster ride for fans of Manchester United as they navigate through the team's uncertain future. Despite some recent success, there's still a cloud of doubt hanging over the squad as they prepare to face Crystal Palace at home this weekend.
The team's performance at Old Trafford has been a cause for concern, with four out of their six Premier League matches resulting in losses since the start of December. While they've managed to secure victories against Southampton and Rangers on their home turf, doubts still linger about their ability to deliver in front of their own fans.
Last week's victory against Fulham was a much-needed boost, and the team followed it up with another impressive display in the Europa League against FCSB on Thursday. Kobbie Mainoo stole the show with a stellar performance, scoring a goal and providing an assist, making a strong case for a starting spot in the upcoming match. Another young talent, Alejandro Garnacho, also made a strong impression off the bench and could be a key player this weekend.
Manager Ruben Amorim has a nearly fully-fit squad to choose from, but there are some tough decisions to be made. The striking duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have yet to find the back of the net this year, and their lack of form is a cause for concern.
In their match against FCSB, the team faced some injuries, with Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Noussair Mazraoui all picking up knocks. However, they were able to shake them off and continue playing, but Manuel Ugarte had to be substituted late in the game due to an injury. Although he was on the bench for the Europa League match, it's expected that he'll return to the starting lineup this weekend.
Amorim's plans seemed to have paid off in their midweek game, and the team will be looking to continue that momentum against Crystal Palace. The manager has expressed uncertainty about the availability of Luke Shaw, as the left-back has been sidelined for most of the season due to injuries. Another player still recovering is Mason Mount, who hasn't played since before Christmas.
In terms of lineup, it's unlikely that Marcus Rashford will make an appearance following Amorim's recent criticism of his performance in training. The team is still working on finding a transfer for the England international before the January window closes next week.
So, what's the predicted lineup for Man Utd this weekend? We could see Onana, de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Diallo, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot, Mainoo, Garnacho, and Hojlund take the field. Fans can catch the action at 2pm on Sunday, but unfortunately, the match won't be televised in the UK. However, you can stay updated with Metro's live matchday blog for all the latest updates.
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