Erik ten Hag needs another positive result as Manchester United, still mired in a slump, host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday.
The match is the first of two straight meetings between these clubs at Old Trafford, with this cup fixture coincidentally plopped just days before the two again clash on the weekend in Premier League action.
United ground out a 1-0 victory against Burnley last time out to stop a run of three straight defeats, but the optics were ugly as the Red Devils were massively out-possessed by the promoted side and struggled to create chances. The heroics of 35-year-old Jonny Evans provided a nice distraction, but even his involvement will be a sign that improvement is yet required.
Palace have not progressed past the fourth round of this competition since their semifinal appearance in 2012, so an upset here could provide a foundation for a positive run of form.
The Sporting News is following the Man United vs Crystal Palace match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Man United vs Crystal Palace live score
Score
Goal scorers
Man United
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Crystal Palace
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Predicted lineups:
Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon — Eriksen, Amrabat — Pellistri, Hannibal, Garnacho — Hojlund.
Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Ward, Richards, Holding, Mitchell — Hughes, Doucoure — J. Ayew, Eze, Schlupp — Edouard.
Man United vs Crystal Palace live updates, highlights, commentary
1 hour 30 mins to kick: Crystal Palace have failed to score in five of their last seven League Cup matches, but the last two times they’ve faced the defending title winners in this competition, they’ve knocked the holders out.
They also advanced last time they drew Manchester United in the EFL Cup, winning 2-1 in extra time back in the 2011 quarterfinals. Could history be on the Eagles’ side today?
👀 Crystal Palace have knocked out the holders of the #CarabaoCup the last two times they’ve faced them
Read the full match preview as they head to Old Trafford in the third round this evening 👇
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 26, 2023
1 hour 45 mins to kick: Erik ten Hag has held firm in his standoff with winger Jadon Sancho. While this match might normally be an opportunity for the young English star to get back in the manager’s good graces, ten Hag has indicated he will not allow Sancho back into the fold unless he apologises for his transgressions.
Click here to read more about what happens next for Jadon Sancho at Man United
2 hours to kickoff: Domestic cup fixtures often provide an opportunity for young players to impress and earn time in the future, and that’s likely the case for Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards today. The young American has been forced to feed on scraps at the Premier League club, but his 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa drew widespread praise despite conceding a dubious penalty.
With Marc Guehi only recently recovered from an injury and Joachim Andersen one of the club’s most important players, it’s likely that Richards gets another look today and he remains an important part of the club’s future plans as well. While he continues to start for the U.S. national team and figures to be a significant contributor over the coming World Cup cycle, Richards will have to bide his time at club level, but a performance today could go a long way in that regard.
Chris Richards has been phenomenal today. Coming straight into the lineup and putting up a wonderful and composed defensive performance.
I hope this “penalty” won’t turn the eyes of Roy Hodgson against him as the season progresses. Ball winning tackle. #USMNT pic.twitter.com/ZcsHqWUreT
— USMNTrev (@Eyesandvibes) September 16, 2023
Man United vs Crystal Palace lineups & team news
The Red Devils badly need a positive string of results to turn the narrative, and thus Erik ten Hag would likely be tempted not to rotate the side even given the chance to, but with all the injuries in the Man United squad, the manager may not have the players for many changes anyways.
The defensive unit is hardest hit, with Lisandro Martinez suffering a setback in his recovery, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia remain sidelined. Loan signing Sergio Reguilon played despite illness against Burnley and will likely be needed again here. There is hope, however, as Harry Maguire is likely to return and Raphael Varane has also been reintroduced into the squad.
Mason Mount is also back in training and could make the matchday squad, but Jadon Sancho and Antony remain out of the fold due to their off-the-field issues. It’s possible that promising youngsters Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, and Hannibal Mejbri could be involved, but Kobbie Mainoo misses this opportunity for minutes due to injury.
Man United projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon — Eriksen, Amrabat — Pellistri, Hannibal, Garnacho — Hojlund.
Man United subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
With Crystal Palace only managing domestic fixtures this season, there’s less of a reason for manager Roy Hodgson to fully rotate his squad, but a few players could see time.
Chief amongst those pushing for a start is American centre-back Chris Richards, who has been starved for time behind regular duo Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi but impressed with 90 minutes against Aston Villa earlier this month. Rob Holding could also get a nod here alongside the U.S. international, while Hodgson could turn to Dean Henderson in goal for a cup role against his former club.
Michael Olise is out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury, while Naouirou Ahamada picked up an ankle injury in training and could be sidelined. Jefferson Lerma could return soon but his status remains unclear, while the same can be said for Matheus Franca and James Tomkins.
Crystal Palace projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Henderson (GK) — Ward, Richards, Holding, Mitchell — Hughes, Doucoure — J. Ayew, Eze, Schlupp — Edouard.
Crystal Palace subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
How to watch Man United vs Crystal Palace
Date
Time
TV Channel
Streaming
USA
Tue, Sep. 25
3 p.m. ET
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ESPN+
UK
Tue, Sep. 25
8 p.m. BST
Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event
Sky GO
Australia
Wed, Sep. 26
5 a..m. AEST
beIN Sports 3
beIN Sports Connect
Canada
Tue, Sep. 25
3 p.m. ET
—
DAZN
Hong Kong
Wed, Sep. 26
3 a.m. HKT
—
—
India
Wed, Sep. 26
12:30 a.m. IST
—
—
Malaysia
Wed, Sep. 26
3 a.m. MYT
—
Mola TV
New Zealand
Wed, Sep. 26
7 a.m. NZST
—
—
Singapore
Wed, Sep. 26
3 a.m. SST
—
Mola TV
Man United vs Crystal Palace betting odds & lines
MUN
win
Draw
PAL
win
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
2.5 goals
Man United
advance
Crystal Palace
advance
BetMGM
(USA)
-175
+320
+450
-133 / -105
-154 / +110
-350
+220
Sports
Interaction
(Canada)
+203
+210
+138
-110 / -141
+130 / -166
-497
+304
Top Betting Sites
(UK)
15/8
23/10
13/10
5/6, 5/6
11/10, 4/6
1/5
10/3
Dafabet
(India)
3.10
3.25
2.49
2.02 / 1.80
2.42 / 1.60
1.25
4.50