Man Utd team news: Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace as Amorim drops star with five changes
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is set to ring the changes against Crystal Palace, with one star set to be axed from his lineup.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will be able to welcome back some of his rested stars against Crystal Palace after rotating his squad for their midweek Europa League win.
A much-changed Red Devils side beat Romanian outfit FCSB 2-0 in Romania on Thursday, as Amorim was able to give a night off to the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Manuel Ugarte, keeping them fresh for Sunday’s fixture.
The Portuguese boss is slowly piecing together some momentum at Old Trafford, embarking on a run of four wins in five games in all competitions, and he will now be looking to transfer their form to the Premier League.
Their clash with Palace – who are unbeaten in their last three meetings with United – could prove to be tough, however, as Oliver Glasner’s side have shown signs of revival in recent weeks.
The Cameroonian will be feeling the heat after his recent errors in the 3-1 defeat against Brighton put his position under question.
Onana remains the No. 1 choice for Amorim, but the shot-stopper cannot afford to be complacent – especially with Altay Bayindir proving to be a solid deputy.
Bayindir kept a clean sheet against FCSB in the Europa League, but the Turkish goalkeeper will know by now that his services are required for cup competitions – leaving the league fixtures to Onana.
Defenders: Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez
Amorim will be able to bring a fresh Maguire back into the team after he sat out their 2-0 win over FCSB on Thursday.
The centre-back has worked his way into the Portuguese’s plans and is likely to keep Leny Yoro out of the team, with the 19-year-old struggling for form of late.
Jonny Evans remains sidelined, while Luke Shaw continues to rebuild his fitness after recovering from his latest setback, which he suffered in December.
Amorim is yet to be convinced he is ready to return: “It can take a little bit more time. I think he needs to train more, to spend more time with his team-mates playing even like normal, small-sided games, not just working alone.”
Midfielders: Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot
Ugarte was one of the players rested for their midweek clash and should return to the starting XI, as Amorim names the same midfield four that started the 1-0 win over Fulham last time out.
Despite scoring in that win in Bucharest, Kobbie Mainoo looks set to drop back down to the bench as Amorim fielded Ugarte together with Fernandes in his 3-4-3 setup.
Mainoo scored the second goal in that game after impressing in a new No. 10 role, but the 19-year-old could make way with Ugarte returning to the side.
Mason Mount is still not fit to play after being ruled out since December with a muscle issue.
