Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Team news, predictions, odds, statistics, quotes & kick-off time


The match pack for Manchester United v Crystal Palace includes team news, statistics, manager quotes, odds and our prediction.

The game kicks off at 1500 BST at Old Trafford.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Our prediction  


This match could be a lot of fun for neutrals if you trust even just a snippet of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho’s comments after Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at Southampton. 

"I hope you don't kill me when you see my team," the Portuguese said when looking ahead to the clash at home to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season. 

"The next match Joel (Pereira, United's 20-year-old third choice goalkeeper) is playing his first match in the Premier League. 

"I hope the fans on Sunday support the team, they forgive some naivety, they forgive some lack of confidence and I hope Big Sam (Allardyce, Palace's manager) shows he's a good friend and he goes slow. Tells (Wilfried) Zaha to go slow, leaves (Christian) Benteke at home; I hope he goes soft on us." 

Mourinho’s comments always have to be taken with a dash of scepticism but he will be right to leave his key first-team regulars out of the squad with next week’s Europa League final against Ajax in Stockholm to look ahead to. 

United are certain to finish in sixth no matter what the result against Palace so expect the likes of goalkeeper Pereira, defender Demetri Mitchell plus midfielders Scott McTominay, Matthew Willock and Josh Harrop to be in the mix for a starting place. 

There will though be some experience in the team. Eric Bailly is sure to play as he misses the Europa League final through suspension and Paul Pogba could feature after missing United’s last couple of games while on compassionate leave following the death of his father. 

Other first-team names will feature too so don’t expect this to be Palace taking to the field against a mix of United’s under-17 side, assorted members of the ticket office staff and anybody that can be dragged out of the hospitality section.

The price for Palace to get the three points has obviously been slashed during the week but I’d rather go for goals in this unusual contest. 

There is certain to be a lack of cohesion to aspects of the Red Devils’ play and Palace arrive at Old Trafford after following up a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City with a 4-0 victory against Hull.

Three Palace matches this season have gone over the 5.5 goals mark, losing 5-4 at Swansea, 4-2 to Liverpool and drawing 3-3 against Hull, while four other games involving the Eagles have produced five. 

I reckon it’s worth a roll of the dice on the 14/1 for over 5.5 goals in this contest. Palace’s defence can’t be trusted and United’s approach to proceedings means that an end-to-end joust is surely possible.     

Prediction: Manchester United 3-3 Crystal Palace

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Team news


Paul Pogba will feature alongside a number of youngsters in Manchester United's Premier League dead rubber against Crystal Palace.

United boss Jose Mourinho confirmed Joel Pereira, Kieran O'Hara, Scott McTominay, Josh Harrop, Matthew Willock and Zachary Dearnley will be involved on Sunday, so too 16-year-old Angel Gomes. Tim Fosu-Mensah will play after a shoulder injury and Pogba will feature after missing the previous two matches following his father's death.

Marouane Fellaini is having a hamstring injury assessed, while Chris Smalling is set to be fit for Wednesday's Europa League final despite a "small problem" keeping him out against Palace.

Numerous first-team players will be rested ahead of the Ajax match, with captain Wayne Rooney set to be among them after playing 90 minutes at Southampton on Wednesday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo (both knee), Luke Shaw (foot) and Ashley Young (hamstring) are out.

Crystal Palace are without Andros Townsend after the midfielder was ruled out with an Achilles injury.

Yohan Cabaye faces a late fitness test, owing to a knock, while Scott Dann is again expected to miss out because of a knee problem.

Beyond his long-term absentees, Connor Wickham, Pape Souare and Mamadou Sakho, Palace manager Sam Allardyce otherwise has a near fully-fit squad from which to choose.

Man United (from): Pereira, O'Hara, Valencia, Darmian, Jones, Mitchell, Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Olosunde, Bailly, Carrick, Herrera, Dearnley, Lingard, Mata, Gomes, McTominay, Mkhitaryan, Harrop, Willock, Martial, Rashford, Rooney.

Crystal Palace (from): Hennessey, Speroni, Mandanda, Kelly, Schlupp, Van Aanholt, Delaney, Tomkins, Fryers, Milivojevic, Flamini, McArthur, Cabaye, Zaha, Puncheon, Benteke, Campbell, Lee, Ledley, Sako.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Manager quotes 


Jose Mourinho (Manchester United)

Asked if the young players were ready to feature at Old Trafford: "All together? No. I think one in the middle of a good structure, a dynamic structure, an experienced structure, I think, yes. I think lots of them together, no.

"The only positive is to save my players to give them better conditions for Wednesday. It's the only positive thing.

"Of course individually for the kids, I think it will be a great experience: Old Trafford, Premier League, Crystal Palace, last match of the season. I think for the kids it will be a big occasion, it will always be good experience for them.

"But I think the best debut for a young player is in the middle of an experienced structure, where he can be supported.

"To play so many kids at the same time, honestly, I don't think it's good.

"Obviously there is a big difference of quality, strength, experience between them and good players, experienced players like Crystal Palace have.

"I would prefer to give them debuts like I gave to Axel against Reading, to Joel against Wigan - or a big match, but for one player.

"With so many at the same time, I think they really need my support, (reserves manager) Nicky Butt's support (and) supporters to understand the difficult job they have, because it will not be an easy one for them."

On Paul Pogba after missing the past two matches following the death of his father Fassou Antoine at the age of 79: "Paul is fine. Strong guy, strong mentality.

"He is learning how to live after his father passed away, but he is strong, and he knows he needs to play next Sunday because he hasn't played or trained for a long time and he needs these minutes on the pitch. He plays against Palace."

Sam Allardyce (Crystal Palace)

On prize money meaning the game still has significance: "The budget will get bigger if we can go up a couple of places.

"The chairman (Steve Parish) has pointed that out to me like every chairman I've worked for, which is always an important part of each year's growth. So the higher you can finish in the league, the bigger and better the prize money, so if we can get a result at Old Trafford, then that will be fantastic.

"It's pretty significant, isn't it? For the players as well because they've got good bonuses for the position they finish in the league so they are well aware of what it means.

"The big thing is to motivate yourself to do it now, because the relief at having got safe, and all the pressure they have been under, this sort of come down because of that pressure, we've got to make sure we build them up in the next couple of days and try and remind them (of its importance) for themselves.

"I don't really think we need too many reminders (of the prize money involved). But I don't think the players should be interested in the money. The club should be interested in the money because it gives us a bigger budget. But the players shouldn't be interested in the money until he has won.

"We will get more money in the turnover and if you get more money in the turnover you'll get extra budget (for wages and transfers)."

On taking chances with injured players now survival is secure: "I won't be trying players for the sake of it.

"I will be picking a team that I think will perform well. Anybody with knocks or problems, I will not play.

"If Yohan is not 100 per cent I won't play him. Andros is definitely out already. Everybody wants to go and play at Old Trafford and come off with a result, as hard as it might be."

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Opta facts


o Manchester United have played Crystal Palace 15 times in the Premier League and have never lost (W12 D3). The only side they have played more without tasting defeat is Charlton (16, W14 D2).

o Crystal Palace have lost 12 times to Manchester United in the Premier League, more than any other side they’ve faced.

o The Red Devils have won each of their seven Premier League home games against Crystal Palace; only against Wigan have they got a longer 100% record of such kind (8).

o Jose Mourinho is unbeaten against Sam Allardyce in the Premier League (W7 D3); only against Mark Hughes has the Manchester United manager won more top-flight contests (8).

o Manchester United have won 16 of their 24 final day matches in the Premier League (D6 L2) – the most wins in the competition.

Manchester United v Crystal Palace: Sky Bet odds

  

Manchester United have drifted out to 7/5 to finish their league campaign with a win, with Crystal Palace priced at 19/10, while Sky Bet price the draw at 12/5. Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney are the 9/2 favourites to score first, while Christian Benteke is seen as the away side’s biggest threat at 11/2. Mourinho’s men have been installed as the 11/4 second favourites to win the Premier League next season, while the Eagles are the same price for a top-half finish next term. 

Place your bets on Man United v Crystal Palace right here