EPL: Manchester United vs Crys

Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

EPL: Manchester United vs Crystal Palace – team news, preview and kick-off time

Jose’s Red Devils are desperate for a win at Old Trafford on Saturday.

EPL: Manchester United vs Crys

Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 28, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Manchester United face ailing Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday, as nothing but a win will do for boss Jose Mourinho and Co.

The Red Devils have had a fortnight to exorcise the demons of their derby defeat at neighbours Manchester City over the international break.

Pep Guardiola’s side were too strong for United at the Etihad, as David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan all netted in a 3-1 win for the EPL leaders.

In-form Anthony Martial gave the visitors hope with his second half penalty, but United were predictably off the pace.

They come into the weekend eighth in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of Tottenham in the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.

That they are as close as that owes much to an upturn in form ahead of their humbling at the hands of the defending champions.

Wins over Bournemouth, Everton and Newcastle had made it three from four, which rather goes to show just how far back they were before then as Mourinho hauled himself back from the brink.

Crystal Palace are another club heading in the wrong direction.

The Eagles are in 16th and falling after a miserable run which sees them without a win in seven.

Mitigation for Roy Hodgson’s men comes in the shape of a nasty fixture list which has seen them face London big shots Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham on successive weekends.

Juan Foyth scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Spurs at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago.

The veteran former England boss sees his side teetering on the brink of the relegation zone, level on eight points with 18th-placed Cardiff.

Good job a trip to Old Trafford isn’t as daunting as it used to be, then.

Manchester United team and injury news

Paul Pogba is fit for action after a muscle problem with Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini also fit following their various injury problems.

Luke Shaw is banned after collecting a fifth EPL yellow card of the season.

Crystal Palace team and injury news

Wilfried Zaha, James Tomkins and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have all recovered from minor injuries, as has defender Mamadou Sakho.

Kick-off time

17:00 (SAST) at Old Trafford.

EPL form (most recent result first)

Manchester United: LWWDW

Crystal Palace: LLDLL

Premier League head-to-head record

Manchester United wins: 15

Crystal Palace wins: 0

Draws: 3