Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Preview, Team News, Possible Lineups and Score Prediction

Old Trafford sets the stage for a compelling Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon as Manchester United host Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace in what some are viewing as a potential managerial audition.

The Red Devils are coming off a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton, while the Eagles travel north with momentum after securing their place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

After a brief stumble at the London Stadium, Manchester United, under the guidance of Michael Carrick, returned to winning ways against Everton on Monday night. The victory served as revenge for an earlier defeat to their former manager, David Moyes.

Substitute Benjamin Sesko was the hero at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, scoring his seventh Premier League goal of the season. This marked his fifth goal in six league matches since Ruben Amorim's departure and solidified the Red Devils' control over their top-four ambitions.

Following Chelsea's draw with Burnley, Manchester United hold a three-point advantage over the Blues but Liverpool moved level following their 5-2 win over West Ham on Saturday as the race for fourth place hots up. They also sit just three points behind third-placed Aston Villa.

United's recent form is formidable; no team in the top flight has been better over the last six gameweeks, with the club taking an impressive 16 out of a possible 18 points. They are also the only Premier League side yet to lose a match since Boxing Day.

At home, Carrick has overseen a three-game winning streak, with United scoring multiple goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Fulham. Now, he faces a potential successor in the opposing dugout.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been the subject of speculation about his future, but his team has been delivering positive results on the pitch. A 2-0 win against Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday, thanks to goals from Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand, kept their European campaign alive.

That victory followed a narrow 1-0 league win over bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers. After a difficult run of 12 games without a win between December and February, Palace have now won three of their last five matches in all competitions, securing back-to-back victories for the first time since early December.

Despite this upturn, Glasner's side remains in the bottom half of the Premier League standings. Their away form is a concern, with just one win in their last eight road games—a run in which they have both scored and conceded in seven of those matches.

Palace lost 2-1 to United at home in November, but they have won on their last two visits to Old Trafford. A victory on Sunday would make them the first London club ever to win three consecutive Premier League games at the Theatre of Dreams.

Manchester United's only new concern from the Everton match is Bryan Mbeumo, who left the field with a slight knock but is expected to be fit for the weekend. Lisandro Martinez (calf) and Mason Mount remain sidelined, though Mount is nearing a return. There is no clear timeline for the recoveries of Patrick Dorgu (thigh) and Matthijs de Ligt (back).

Benjamin Sesko's recent goal-scoring form, with five non-penalty goals in 2026, could see the towering Slovenian earn a starting spot ahead of Amad Diallo.

Crystal Palace reported no new injuries following their midweek European fixture. Maxence Lacroix successfully returned from a groin issue to start and score against Zrinjski. However, the visitors will still be without Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee), and Eddie Nketiah (thigh).

Evann Guessand, who scored the late winner against Wolves before also finding the net on Thursday, has made a strong case for a starting role at Old Trafford.

Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen

While Crystal Palace have found some form and possess a strong recent record at Old Trafford, Manchester United's current momentum is undeniable. The Red Devils are in exceptional league form and should have the quality to secure a comfortable home victory and continue their push for a top-four finish.