Manchester United v Palace

Old Trafford, Saturday 3.00pm

Story so far

Manchester United will be looking to bounce straight back from their derby day defeat last Sunday by finding their fourth win of the season. United find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sitting in tenth position in the league, 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea. The Red Devils look to have mounting defensive issues through injury and suspension and have only managed one goal in their last two matches.

At the back, United have conceded 14 goals already this season, but it could have been a whole lot more if it weren?t for the in-form David De Gea. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Spain international has already made 23 saves this season, including five saves last weekend to keep United level in the derby until the 63rd minute. He will need to remain in top form to ensure that United find their first clean sheet in seven games.

At the back, United will be without Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling through injury and suspension, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index illustrates that Rafael has been United?s star defender so far this season. Rafael has won 17 tackles so far this term, which is more than any other defender in the United squad. He has also made 27 clearances, 16 interceptions and two blocks. He is also not afraid to get forward, and having already created one goal this season, will be looking to add to his assists tally.

At the other end of the pitch, last weekend saw United fail to score for the second time this season, but it is clear that they possess an abundance of attacking talent. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index statistics illustrate this as Wayne Rooney has scored three times this season, with every other shot that has hit the target.

Netherlands international captain Robin Van Persie has hit the target more than anybody else in the squad, testing opposition keepers 12 times, finding the net the same amount of times as Rooney. United new boy Angel Di Maria has found the back of the net three times, with a further four assists to his name, and he is 31/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Crystal Palace suffered their third loss in four games to Sunderland on Monday night, which saw them slip perilously close to the danger zone; level on points and goal difference with Leicester in 18th place. Whilst scoring has not been a problem for the Eagles, they have the second worst defensive record in the league and we look to see how they can overcome this and the loss of influential leader Mile Jedinak, who is suspended for the trip north.

As mentioned, Palace are a side capable of scoring goals, especially with two electric wingers in Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, with the latter ineligible for the weekend clash. The main man putting the ball in the net though is former United star, Frazier Campbell. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the English striker has three goals to his name, converting over 23% of his chances.

The striker has also clocked an impressive 35.13km/h this season, the fastest pace in the Palace squad, and will look to use that pace to get in behind United?s defence. He is 5/1 to score anytime against his old club with 888sport.com.

In the middle of the park, replacing Mile Jedinak is a big ask of Crystal Palace, but that responsibility will likely fall on the shoulders of Wales international Joe Ledley. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he has won 69.23% of his tackles and racked up 15 interceptions already this campaign. He has covered 74.12km so far this season, and will need to ensure he adds to all of these statistics to win the midfield battle on Saturday.

At the back, English full back Joel Ward has started the campaign in impressive style, and has covered 101.3km of ground, completing 466 sprints, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has won 87.5% of his tackles, racking up 40 clearances and 19 interceptions and will need to continue his first class form this weekend, where he will line up against Manchester United record signing Angel Di Maria.

Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at fantasy.premierleague.com or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.

Team news

Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak is banned for the trip to Manchester United after his red card against Sunderland last time out.

Wilfried Zaha is also unavailable under the terms of his loan from the Red Devils. Centre half Damien Delaney will return to the squad after recovering from illness.

Manchester United are missing five defenders as Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael are all injured and Chris Smalling is suspended.

Midfielders Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia are set to move into defence, while striker Radamel Falcao is still injured.

United: (from) De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Rafael, Vermijl, Shaw, Blackett, Thorpe, McNair, Pereira, Blind, Fletcher, Valencia, Lingard, Fellaini, Anderson, Carrick, Young, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Di Maria, Rooney, Van Persie, W Keane.

Palace: (from) Speroni, Hennessey, Mariappa, Kelly, Fryers, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Hangeland, Bannan, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Thomas, Puncheon, Gayle, Guediora, Campbell, Johnson, Doyle, Chamakh.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"We have got players who can take advantage of any backline. We're not kidding ourselves though – United have spent around £150 million going forward! They have world-beaters around their squad. I think it's great for the Premier League bringing in someone like Angel Di Maria.

"He has a great left foot. I do like many of their players. Robin Van Persie has still got it – people have been saying to me he isn't the same anymore. And Marouane Fellaini is finding his feet there too, you could go on about their talent, couldn't you?

"However, I think we can be bold up there. They look like they'll be inexperienced at the back so we need to put them under as much pressure as we can.

"You have to go anywhere and believe you can win. Everyone needs to be singing from the same hymn sheet and cut out silly errors, like Sunderland's first goal on Monday. I hope our forwards can have a good day and we defend well.

"United have been unlucky with some results. Last Sunday against Man City, I thought they did well with ten men for more than a half. It will be difficult but we have to go there with a smile on our face and be as positive as we can."

Yannick Bolasie

"United are a team in transition, they've bought a lot of players and I think we could take advantage of that. Yes, they have good individual players. Whether they come good as a team, we'll have to wait and see.

"Watching them against Manchester City, City have got top players and can cause problems but we also have top players too. Playing at Old Trafford, Valencia might push forward – so with my job duties I might get pushed back.

"We'll have to wait and see, it's cat and mouse for me. It will be my first time at Old Trafford and I'll be looking forward to it, because every time I've seen the stadium it's been on television."

Brede Hangeland

"It is possible to get a result against Man United and Liverpool. I remember watching the game last season against Liverpool, so anything is possible.

"I care where we are on the last day of the season. I have been in and out of the bottom three every year I've been in the Premier League, that's just the way it is."

Louis van Gaal

"I feel for the fans and also the board because they have belief in me, my staff, and my players. 13 points from 10 matches, you are not doing well, but we are in a process.

"As I have said from the beginning, even when we won five games in the US, the process shall take more than one year. It shall take three years, I hope, though that is dependent on lots of things. But I think we will make it happen, that we will win a lot of matches.

"I have the experience that people have great belief in what we are doing now, in the way we are playing football. When I am in the streets I am surrounded by very positive things, and when I’m in a car from United, there are lots of positive people.

"I’m feeling lousy for everyone that we have 13 points from 10 games. When I want to select the same line-up, I cannot. It’s the same every week."

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Manchester United - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
10th	10	3	4	3	13

Full league table

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
22/02/2014	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Manchester United
14/09/2013	League	Manchester United	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
30/11/2011	League Cup	Manchester United	1 - 2	Crystal Palace
05/03/2005	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Manchester United
18/12/2004	League	Manchester United	5 - 2	Crystal Palace

All time results

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Last meeting

Palace 0-2 Manchester United

Saturday February 22 2014

Palace: Speroni, Dann, Ward, Parr, Delaney, Ledley, Puncheon, Jedinak, Ince (Gayle, 85), Chamakh (Bolasie, 74), Murray (Jerome, 66)

Subs not used: Bannan, Gabbidon, Hennessey, Dikgacoi

Manchester United: de Gea, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling, Rooney, Januzaj (Valencia, 80), Carrick, Fellaini (Fletcher, 88), Mata, van Persie (Giggs, 80)

Subs not used: Kagawa, Hernandez, Young, Lindegaard

Goals: van Persie (pen 62), Rooney (68)

Bookings: Vidic, Giggs

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