Manchester United’s line-up is known for the away match against Crystal Palace. The Mancunians are visiting London in pursuit of their sixth league win in a row. United won the city derby against Manchester City last weekend and are now nine games in a row without losing a point in all competitions. Against Palace, Erik ten Hag chooses to immediately put Wout Weghorst in the starting line-up. Tyrell Malacia starts on the bench, while Lisandro Martínez returns to the heart of defence.
Weghorst was not yet available against Manchester City and had to watch the game from the stands. All formalities have now been completed and the striker will make his debut. The base place of the thirty-year-old striker will have to do with the absence of Anthony Martial. Antony, still a substitute against City, starts on the right. Marcus Rashford starts from the left. The England international is in good shape and has been accurate in his last seven games (eight goals).
?? Tonight’s team news is in — and there’s a United debut for Wout Weghorst! ????#MUFC || #CRYMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 18, 2023
Martial was substituted for Antony against City at half-time. “To prevent him from getting injured, we took him to the side earlier. But it also had a negative impact on us as a team,” Ten Hag said earlier about the substitution of Martial, who was not completely fit. He is not expected to be out of circulation for very long. He is therefore missing against Palace, so Weghorst can show it right from the first minute.
Where Ten Hag opted for a four-man midfield against City with Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Fred, he falls back against Palace on a center line of three. Fred has lost his starting place. Eriksen and Casemiro have to take care of the control, while Fernandes is the most advanced man. Martínez returns in the rear. He forms the center together with Raphaël Varane. Luke Shaw is lined up at left back, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka will cover the right flank. The game at Selhurst Park starts at 9 p.m. Dutch time.
Crystal Palace line-up: nb
Manchester United line-up: DeGea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.