Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Selhurst Park

Confirmed: United's team to face Crystal Palace

Wednesday 03 March 2021 19:15

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made four changes from the side that drew with Chelsea at the weekend as the Reds prepare to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Edinson Cavani returns from injury to start for United as we face our second test in the capital in as many matches, with the Uruguayan joined by Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in the front four, with Daniel James making way.

Dean Henderson comes in between the sticks in place of David De Gea, who does not feature in this evening’s matchday squad due to personal reasons, meaning Lee Grant is our goalkeeping option among the substitutes.

 

In the back four, Eric Bailly replaces Victor Lindelof alongside captain Harry Maguire, with our new Player of the Month winner Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka joining them in the full-back positions.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the park, Nemanja Matic replaces Scott McTominay, as the Serbian makes his 14th appearance of the season. 

For the visitors they make just one change from their 0-0 draw with Fulham at the weekend as James McCarthy returns for Jairo Riedewald. Former Reds winger Wilfried Zaha misses out, but Jeffrey Schlupp and Connor Wickham return to the bench.

Discussing the absences of De Gea and Anthony Martial, Ole told club media: "With David, that’s personal reasons. Anthony got a knock on Monday in training on his knee, so he’s not ready for this. Hopefully he'll be okay for the weekend but we’re not sure yet.

“Let’s hope Dean [Henderson] performs as well as he has done all season. He’s got his chance now. He’s been waiting patiently and working really hard and of course he’s ready to grab his opportunity.”

On Cavani's return to fitness, Ole added: “Edinson is always a goal threat and we hope to have lots of the ball, to be in and around their box of course. If we play properly, play in their half, then we should create chances for him.”

Ole's pre-match interview Video

Ole's pre-match interview

The boss explains why De Gea and Martial are not in the squad in south London tonight...

LINE-UPS

Crystal Palace
: Guaita, Ward, Cahill, Kouyate, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McCarthy, Townsend, Eze, Ayew, Benteke.

Substitutes: Butland, Dann, Mateta, Schlupp, Wickham, Batshuayi, Kelly, Hannam, Riedewald.

United: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani.

Substitutes: Grant, Lindelof, Telles, Tuanzebe, Williams, Amad, James, McTominay, Shoretire.

Kick-off at Selhurst Park is at 20:15 GMT and you can follow live updates on ManUtd.com and in our Official App.

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