Manchester United 4-0 Crystal Palace Highlights (Mata and Lukaku goals ensure routine win for United)

Manchester United are set to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League game on Saturday, 30th September 2017 at Old Trafford. its a massive game for United who can go three points clear at top of the table for atleast a few hours and since City and Chelsea are playing later in the day a win for United might as well keep them at the top till the international break and next round of matches in two weeks time. The game kicks off at around 15:00 uk time which means no tv coverage in the UK but we will have match highlights just in case you missed the live action.

Match Highlights:

Manchester United 4-0 Crystal Palace Highlights
[ Premier League 2017-18 Match ]
03′ 1 – 0 Juan Mata scores with a beautifully taken shot after Rashford’s cut back from left wing.
35′ 2 – 0 Marouane Fellaini made it 2-0 for United with a header at the far post after Young wiped in a good looking cross.
49′ 3 – 0 Marouane Fellaini scores his second of the night on similar cross this time from Rashford on a freekick.

United and Palace has meet five times over the last 2 seasons and United managed to win all previous 5 games including last year’s FA Cup final under Louis Van Gaal. Jose Mourinho’s United completed a comfortable league double over Palace and this season they are expected to do the same. United playing at home ground will be expected to continue their scoring spree.

Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace Highlights
[ English Premier League 2017 Match ]
15′ 1 – 0 Josh Harrop
19′ 2 – 0 Paul Pogba

Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United Highlights
[ English Premier League 2016-17 Match ]
45′ 0 – 1 Paul Pogba scores at the stroke of half time to put United 1-0 in lead.
66′ 1 – 1 James McArthur equalized with an absolute super strike.
88′ 1 – 2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores late in second half to earn all three points for Manchester United

Last time these two meet was back in May 2016 when United came from a goal down to win 2-1 in the FA Cup final which ended up as the last game incharge for Louis Van Gaal.

Team News & Lineups: Manchester United are expected to start with the same lineup which took the field against AFC Bournemouth in the last league game. Rashford and Martial to start upfront with Rooney, Lingard, Mata to play in midfield roles alongside Carrick while Blind, Smalling, Borthwick-Jackson and Valencia to make the back four.

Palace on the other hand with start with their usual full strength team where Zaha, Wickham, Bolasi to start in three man attacking upfront while Puncheon, Cabaye and McArthur to make the midfield. This is how I expect both teams to lineup.

Predictions: United should go into the game slightly favourite and Wayne Rooney will be the key man for United as he will be fired up for his first FA Cup final since 2005 and the only trophy which he has not won with United since his move to Everton. I am going with a comfortable win for Man Utd on Saturday with Rooney, Martial and Rashford on scoresheet.

United started with Fellaini in the lineup and he looked the most likely source for United to get a goal in first half. After the game was 0-0 at the break, Both Marouane Fellaini and Martial hit the woodwork as United upped their tempo in the second 45 minutes. Puncheon and Mata scored inside minutes of each other as game went into the extra time where Jese Lingard scored late in second half of extra time to win the game for United.

Crystal Palace who has never won a major trophy, were playing in their second FA Cup final and with great support at Wembley they cause a few problems for United. Sitting deep and hoping to catch them on the break. But United had more of the ball as expected and Palace failed to get meaningful chances in the final third.

Game came to life late in the second half when Puncheon scored with a superb strike at the near post but the joy was short lived as Unied came right back into the game when amazing rooney run produced a smash grab finished from Mata. Smalling sending off in extra time put United on the back foot but they took the lead through Lingard who scored with a quality strike on the far post.

Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace Highlights
[ FA Cup 2016 Final ]
78′ 1 – 0 Jason Puncheon scored with a superb near post volley from acute angel to put Palace 1-0 up in 78th minute
81′ 1 – 1 Juan Mata scored minutes later to bring United back into the game.
105′ [ 2 Yellow/Red Card ] Chris Smalling was sent off for his second bookable offense in extra time.
110′ 1 – 2 Jesse Lingard scored late in 2nd half of extra time to win the game for Manchester United.

It is remain to be seen whether Louis Van Gaal will be United manager next season as Jose Mourinho is widely tipped to replace him. However Van Gaal was confident in his post match interview stating he will be back in the dugout next season.