Early team news for Palace trip

The Reds will arrive at Selhurst Park on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off) knowing that a win in our final outing of 2021/22 will definitely be enough to secure a place in next season’s Europa League. 

In the time since our last outing, away to Brighton & Hove Albion nearly a fortnight ago, interim manager Ralf Rangnick has seen his squad get stronger going into the finale in the capital. 

This week, our pictures from training showed that Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho had all returned to the pitches at Carrington. 

The same could be said for Eric Bailly, who looked to have shaken off the back problems that kept him out of that visit to the Amex Stadium. 

It means that all four could be available for Sunday’s final-day fixture against Patrick Vieira’s men. 

In goal for United, if David De Gea is to retain his place between the sticks, this Premier League season will be the third in which the goalkeeper has played in every single one of United’s games in the competition (he did it in 2018/19 and 2019/20 previously).

At the back, it seems as if Rangnick will have his full defensive rearguard to chose from following the returns to fitness of Bailly and Shaw. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire returned to the matchday squad in the game at Brighton and both will be hoping to end the season strongly with some final-day minutes at Selhurst Park.

Further up the pitch, Paul Pogba is set to miss this weekend’s game, but Rangnick should have Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Fred all available for selection. 

It will be Matic’s final match for United if he plays, as he has done in our last four outings alongside McTominay. 

Fred did return from injury from the bench against Brighton however and could come back in from the start against a team he scored the winner against earlier this season.

Going forward, the fit-again Rashford and Sancho could both be in contention for starting spots in the wide areas which Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes have occupied recently. 

Juan Mata has also started our last two matches in central attacking midfield and could make it three in a row on Sunday, while Jesse Lingard will also be an option for the Reds here. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has potential to hit the 20-goal mark in this Premier League season – he’s currently on 18 – if he gets the nod to start again at the weekend. Edinson Cavani made a return from injury last time out and could look to add to his minutes as well. 

Although there is still something to play for on the final day, Rangnick could also look to give opportunities to several United youngsters across the pitch. 

Teden Mengi, Alvaro Fernandez, Hannibal, Charlie Savage and Shola Shoretire were all spotted by our official photographers in first-team training this week.

Alejandro Garnacho could also come back into the fold following his FA Youth Cup success with the Under-18s and his recent senior debut against Chelsea.

Rangnick will likely provide an update on his thinking for the team selection, and any fresh doubts, during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

CRYSTAL PALACE TEAM NEWS

The selection pool available to Palace manager Vieira for the final-day fixture will become a little bit clearer once the Eagles’ penultimate game of the campaign, away to Everton, has taken place on Thursday evening. 

What we do know however, is that winger Michael Olise will miss the rest of the season through injury, while defenders Nathan Ferguson and James Tomkins, plus midfielder James McArthur, have also been sidelined recently.