Man Utd vs Crystal Palace team & injury news - eight out, two doubts & three January transfers available

Manchester United fans may get a first glimpse of Marcel Sabitzer following his deadline-day arrival.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Erik ten Hag’s first-team options look widely different for Saturday’s meeting with Crystal Palace, than they did for Manchester United’s last Premier League match against Arsenal.

Since that 3-2 loss at the Emirates, two Red Devils have returned from lay-offs, another has been signed on loan, while two more have picked up injuries. The latter means Ten Hag will be without Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen for Saturday’s game against Palace. McTominay is suffering from a knock that will rule him out for a few weeks, while it was confirmed on Tuesday that Eriksen won’t play again until April or May due to an ankle injury he sustained in the FA Cup win over Reading.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He joins Donny van de Beek as a long-term absentee, with the Dutchman not set to feature again this season after picking up a knee injury. The lack of midfield options forced United into the transfer market on deadline day, with Marcel Sabitzer joining on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has been handed the No.15 shirt at United and could make his debut for the Red Devils on Saturday. However, he is unlikely to start and has had limited opportunity to train with his new team-mates.

Elsewhere, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial returned to the team in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and both are options against the Eagles. Sancho’s introduction from the bench was met with a huge round of applause from the Old Trafford faithful in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, with the winger not playing since October due to physical and mental issues.

Diogo Dalot is the Red Devils’ only fitness doubt, and the Portugal international has been struggling with a knock over recent weeks. Dalot did return to training on Thursday but is unlikely to start, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka expected to line up against his old side. On-loan Jack Butland is also ineligible to play against his parent club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mason Greenwood is not available for selection as the club conducts an internal investigation around the allegations made against the 21-year-old, following the news on Thursday that all criminal proceedings have been dropped against him.

Zaha has been ruled out for Crystal Palace. Credit: Getty.Zaha has been ruled out for Crystal Palace. Credit: Getty.
Zaha has been ruled out for Crystal Palace. Credit: Getty.

As for Palace, they’ll be without talismanic forward Wilfried Zaha, who is out with a hamstring tear he picked up in a recent draw against Newcastle United. He joins Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur on the sidelines. Joachim Andersen has missed the last two games through injury but may return to the team at Old Trafford. Deadline-day arrivals Naouirou Ahamada and Sambi Lokonga could make their league debuts for Patrick Vieira’s side this weekend.

Doubts: Dalot (United); Andersen (Palace)

Unavailable: Butland, McTominay, Eriksen, Van de Beek, Greenwood (United); Ferguson, McArthur, Zaha (Palace)