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How Manchester United should line up vs Crystal Palace in Premier League fixture

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Manchester United are looking to win four games on the bounce against Crystal Palace this weekend.

United progressed to the Round of 16 in the Europa League with a comfortable win against FCSB on Thursday night and will be hopeful of extending their winning sequence on Sunday.

Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo got on the scoresheet in Bucharest and the latter excelled in the No.10 role, which raised the possibility of a permanent new position for Mainoo.

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United will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford and the London club head into this game after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brentford at Selhurst Park.

Regarding the team news, Luke Shaw returned to full training at Carrington last week and could be included in his first matchday squad since picking up a fresh injury in November.

Here is how our writers think United should line up....

Samuel Luckhurst

Keeping Mainoo in that No.10 role would be wise as Bruno Fernandes can be so effective from a deep-lying role. Manuel Ugarte has to come back in and Harry Maguire would be another logical recall.

Ruben Amorim has to make a point with Alejandro Garnacho amid the possibility he could not be a United player next week. Selecting him and Mainoo as the two 10s would be a signal of intent. Amad can be effective from the wing.

Not many will be placing a bet on Joshua Zirkzee to score but Rasmus Hojlund is still not up to it.

Six changes
Six changes

Steven Railston

Maguire and Leny Yoro were rested in midweek and I'd recall them to the starting team. It also makes sense to start Amad in the right-wing back role as United should have most of the ball against Oliver Glasner's side and will need as many creative players as possible to unlock their defence.

Mainoo was excellent against FCSB and moved to the right-hand side No.10 position in the second half. The youngster has a strong relationship with Amad, so he should play there again.

Garnacho provided energy when he came on from the bench and deserves to start.

George Smith

After being given a breather in Bucharest, it makes sense for Maguire to be recalled and start in the heart of the defence. Yoro was also rested from the start in midweek and it would be nice to see him given another start in the Premier League.

Ugarte has to come back into the centre of midfield after not featuring against FCSB. Fernandes is a logical partner for the Uruguayan after Mainoo's excellent performance in a more advanced role.

Garnacho was lively in the second half after coming off the bench and deserves a place in attack. Zirkzee, despite not finding the back of the net since December 19, has offered more than Hojlund in his general play recently and deserves a recall at the top of the pitch.