Manchester United will travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday, but they go into the match with big worries after a very poor defeat to Everton last week.
The Red Devils looked flat, slow, and without ideas in that 1–0 loss, and now they must try to recover against a Crystal Palace side that is always tough to face at home.
Before the game, United boss Ruben Amorim spoke to the press and gave a major update on the team’s injury problems.
Sadly for United fans, the news was not good at all. Three important players, Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire, and Matheus Cunha, will miss the match, leaving United short in attack and defence yet again.
Amorim Confirms Key Trio Will Miss Crystal Palace Game
Amorim explained that Benjamin Sesko is still out and will “take a little bit more time” to recover.
The young striker has been injured since the Tottenham game before the November international break.
It was a knee problem, and although United hoped he would return earlier, the medical team say he needs more rest before he can train normally.
Losing Sesko again is a major blow. United already struggle to score goals, and without a powerful striker like him, their attack becomes predictable.
His pace, movement, and link-up play have been missing badly in recent weeks, and it shows every time United try to build attacks.
Amorim also confirmed that Harry Maguire is ruled out. The centre-back had a setback after the Tottenham game as well and hasn’t recovered in time.
Maguire has been one of United’s more reliable defenders this season, and his absence will once again force Amorim to change the backline.
The third big problem for United is the injury to Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian missed the Everton match because of a head injury picked up in training.
Many expected him to return for the Palace game, but Amorim shut down those hopes.
He said the club expects Cunha to be back for the West Ham game on Thursday, not this weekend.
This is another huge miss for United. Cunha has been one of their more lively attacking players.
His speed, dribbling, and sharp movement help United break defensive lines, something they badly need, especially away from home.
So with Sesko and Cunha both missing, United will be without two of their most dangerous forwards.
Getty Images,PA Wire,x.com
Selhurst Park: A Difficult Ground for United
Crystal Palace away has never been easy for Manchester United, but in recent years, it has become even tougher.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner has made his team stronger, more organised, and much more difficult to break down.
They sit deep, defend as a unit, and hit teams on the counter with speed.
United’s recent record at Selhurst Park is shocking: just one goal in their last five visits. That shows how hard they find it to play in that stadium.
The pitch is tight, the crowd is loud, and Palace press aggressively in key moments.
Now, United must go there without key attackers, and with confidence low after the Everton defeat.
They desperately need a strong performance but will have to dig deep to get it.
Lisandro Martinez Could Make A Return
There is at least one small piece of good news. Defender Lisandro Martinez was named on the bench against Everton and could finally return to the pitch this weekend.
The Argentine has had a long spell on the sidelines, and United have missed his leadership and ball-playing ability at the back.
However, Amorim is expected to bring him back slowly. The plan is likely to give him controlled minutes from the bench, rather than risk him from the start.
Still, his presence, even for 20–30 minutes, could help United steady the defence, especially late in the game.
With Maguire out and Martinez not fully fit, United will rely heavily on the likes of Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelöf, and possibly some younger players.
It is not an ideal situation for such a difficult away match.
Pressure Growing On Amorim and the Squad
Manchester United’s season has been full of ups and downs, and injuries have played a big part in the inconsistency.
But pressure is now growing on Amorim to find solutions even when players are missing.
The defeat to Everton frustrated fans, who expected more intensity, energy, and attacking football.
Going into this Palace match, Amorim needs his team to show fight and desire. They cannot afford another slow performance.
The midfield must work harder, the defence must stay more organised, and the attackers must take responsibility even without Sesko and Cunha.
If United drop more points, their league position will become even more worrying. The top-four race is tight, and every match now feels important.
Manchester United go into Sunday’s match with major problems. Three key players are out, confidence is low, and they face a Crystal Palace side that is strong at home.
United have a terrible scoring record at Selhurst Park, and without their main attackers, the challenge becomes even harder.
But football is unpredictable. If the players step up, stay focused, and show more fight than they did at Goodison Park, they still have a chance to turn things around.
United need a brave performance, smart tactics, and high energy. This weekend will show a lot about the character of the team, and the pressure on Amorim will only grow if things go wrong.
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