Midfield call made as Amad returns - Manchester United predicted line up vs Crystal Palace
Manchester United will be hoping to secure a fourth successive victory in all competitions when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
United, who have won just one of their last six league meetings with the Londoners, secured a third successive victory for the first time this season on Thursday night, beating FCSB 2-0 in Bucharest to progress to the last-16 of the Europa League.
Second half goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo got the job done for the Reds, who recorded a second successive clean sheet in the process. The aim now is to try and secure back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.
READ MORE: Shaw, Evans, Mount - Manchester United injury news and return dates ahead of Crystal Palace clash
READ MORE: Manchester United 'make' El Bilal Toure transfer swoop as star sees January move 'collapse'
Following the win over FCSB, the squad did not immediately fly back to Manchester, instead undertaking a recovery session in Bucharest on Friday morning. The short turnaround time and travel time will be factors in head coach Ruben Amorim's thinking ahead of the visit of Palace.
After making way for Altay Bayindir between the posts at the National Arena, Andre Onana is likely to reclaim his place in goal. The Cameroonian has started every Premier League game since the start of last season and that trend is expected to continue this weekend.
As far as the back-three is concerned, Harry Maguire could be handed a recall after playing no part against FCSB. He could replace Noussair Mazraoui and slot straight into the heart of the defence.
After switching to the left flank at half-time, Dalot could revert back to the left wing-back role from the start against Palace because of the likelihood of Amad being recalled and starting at right wing-back. The Ivorian was introduced from the bench at the interval against FCSB and will be targeting a return to the starting XI.
In the centre of midfield, Manuel Ugarte could return after playing no part in the win in Romania. The Uruguayan has started each of United's first four league matches this calendar year.
Amid Mainoo's excellent performance in one of the two No.10 roles against FCSB, Bruno Fernandes could start next to Ugarte as one of the deeper midfielders. He has the ability to control proceedings from that area of the pitch.
Alejandro Garnacho could return to the starting XI in attack after his bright performance in the second half in midweek. He could take up residency in the left-sided No.10 role with Mainoo operating as the right-sided No.10.
Rasmus Hojlund started and stored 80 minutes under his belt in Romania, meaning that may have been an indication that Joshua Zirkzee could lead the line against Palace. The latter has not started either of the last two matches.
United predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Mainoo, Zirkzee, Garnacho.