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Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Team news, predicted line-ups and pre-match stats

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Manchester United go in search of their first major silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as they face Crystal Palace in the final of the FA Cup at the Wembley stadium, in what is a repeat of the 1990 final which the Red Devils won courtesy of a 1-0 replay success.

Alan Pardew was part of the Palace team that lost to United in the 1990 FA Cup final and will be seeking revenge when he leads his team into the battle today, but the Eagles have not beaten the Red Devils this season, having suffered a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month, with the reverse fixture ending goalless. However, Pardew will be hoping to make up for a disappointing 2016, which saw them slide from fifth to 15th in the league standings after winning just two games in their last 19. The south Londoners finished their league campaign with a 4-1 loss at Southampton but an impressive cup run has given their fans something to cheer for and the opportunity to qualify for Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

On the other hand, Wembley could indeed be the venue for Louis van Gaal’s final match in charge of United. The Dutchman is being widely tipped to depart Old Trafford this summer and an FA Cup trophy would be the perfect way to depart under the circumstances. United made a late push for Champions League football after winning 11 of their last 19 games since the turn of the year, losing just five times. Ultimately they fell just short of Manchester City on goal difference, which will have been even more difficult to take. A 3-2 defeat to West Ham in the penultimate fixture effectively ended their hopes of finishing in the top four but they do have a chance of ending their season with a trophy which they haven’t lifted since beating Millwall 3-0 in the 2004 final.

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Date, Time and Coverage 

Saturday 21 May, 17:30 GMT (22:00 IST) kick-off. Live on BT Sport/HD (Axn & Axn HD). Live match commentary on BBC Football.

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Team News

Crystal Palace

Joe Ledley (broken leg) and Marouane Chamakh (adductor) are Palace’s only absentee for the final at Wembley. Bakary Sako has been passed fit after training this week, while Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to play a part from the bench, in what could be his last match for the club. Wilfried Zaha (hamstring) is back after missing the last few games of the league season and is expected to start against his former club in a wide position.

Manchester United

Van Gaal has a “squad of 27 players” for the clash in London with only Luke Shaw (broken leg) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) unavailable for the Red Devils. United convincingly beat Bournemouth 3-1 in their final league game, but can now add fit-again Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Morgan Schneiderlin as well as Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian international who scored the opener against Everton in the semi-finals is back in contention after a three-game suspension.

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Road to Wembley

Crystal Palace

09-Jan – 3rd Round – Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace (Ward, Zaha) 30-Jan – 4th Round – Crystal Palace 1-0 Stoke City (Zaha) 21-Feb – 5th Round – Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Crystal Palace (Kelly) 11-Mar – 6th Round – Reading 0-2 Crystal Palace (Cabaye, Campbell) 24-Apr – Semi-final – Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford (Bolasie, Wickham)

Manchester United

09-Jan – 3rd Round – Manchester United 1-0 Sheffield United (Rooney) 29-Jan – 4th Round – Derby County 1-3 Manchester United (Rooney, Blind, Mata) 22-Feb – 5th Round – Shrewsbury Town 0-3 Manchester United (Smalling, Mata, Lingard) 13-Mar – 6th Round – Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United (Martial) 13-Apr – 6th Round Replay – West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United (Rashford, Fellaini) 23-Apr – Semi-final – Everton 1-2 Manchester United (Fellaini, Martial)

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Head to Head

Played – 48 Crystal Palace Wins – 7 Draws – 10 Manchester United Wins – 31

Fixtures

20-Apr-16 – Premier League – Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace 31-Oct-15 – Premier League – Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United 09-May-15 – Premier League – Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United 08-Nov-14 – Premier League – Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace 22-Feb-14 – Premier League – Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United

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Form Guide

Crystal Palace – LWLWL

15-May – Premier League – Southampton 4-1 Crystal Palace 07-May – Premier League – Crystal Palace 2-1 Stoke City 30-Apr – Premier League – Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace 24-Apr – FA Cup – Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford 20-Apr – Premier League – Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Manchester United – WLWDW

17-May – Premier League – Manchester United 3-1 Bournemouth 10-May – Premier League – West Ham United 3-2 Manchester United 07-May – Premier League – Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United 01-May – Premier League – Manchester United 1-1 Leicester City 23-Apr – FA Cup – Everton 1-2 Manchester United

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Players to Watch

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Zaha disappointed many, including himself during his ill-fated tenure at Manchester United, and now is back at a side that has lower expectations and he is regaining his confidence. Still young, the winger has a point to prove against his old side, who perhaps did not give him enough playing time despite his talent.

Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

Martial is the player who excites crowds, shrugs off defenders and worries opposing managers on a weekly basis. No matter the occasion, this young French striker remains unfazed. His athletic ability is matched only by his technical proficiency and if anyone can win you a final, it is him.

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Key Battle

Mile Jedinak v Wayne Rooney

Rooney’s transformation as a central midfielder this season has been nothing short of astonishing. The United skipper has taken to the position since his return from injury like a duck to water. His exceptional range of passing and vision combined with his defensive alertness have given his side the midfielder they have lacked for several seasons. On the other side, Jedinak will play a crucial role in organising the Palace midfield and cutting off Rooney’s time and space. The Australian international will have plenty to do but if he can keep Rooney quiet, then that will be a huge boost for his side.

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Probably Line-ups

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Wayne Hennessey; Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Papa Souare; Yohan Cabaye, Mile Jedinak; Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie; Connor Wickham.

Manchester United (4-3-3): David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Danny Blind, Marcos Rojo; Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini; Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.

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Match Facts and Stats

  • These sides met in the 1990 FA Cup final – Crystal Palace’s only FA Cup final to date – United won 1-0 after a replay following a 3-3 draw.
  • United have reached their first FA Cup final since 2007, and 19th overall (W11 L7). Only Arsenal (12) have won the trophy more times than the Red Devils.
  • Indeed, Manchester United haven’t won the trophy since 2004, and haven’t won it at Wembley since 1999.
  • United have won 15 of their last 20 games against the Eagles in all competitions (D4 L1).
  • The London side have won their last three games at Wembley Stadium, including both games since it was reopened in 2007 (both against Watford).
  • This will be Man United’s 14th game at the new Wembley Stadium – no team has played more games there (Chelsea also 14).

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Referee

Name – Mark Clattenburg Based – Durham Age – 41 Games – 45 Yellow Cards – 153 Red Cards – 6

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Match Odds

Crystal Palace 7/2, Draw 13/5, Manchester United 5/6

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Prediction 

There is no question that Pardew will have his troops fired up and Palace’s willingness to attack should create an open and an entertaining final. Manchester United are obviously heavy favourites and, bar the odd slip, have got the job done in recent months. They have a golden opportunity to get a first major trophy after three seasons and should not make a mess of it. Don’t see this being an one-sided final as some are expecting it to be. For as much as United might dominate possession, can’t see them having it all their way and Palace do have some dangerous players who can cause a lot of problems on the counter. However, United should get the job done though and end their FA Cup drought.

Predicted score – Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United

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