Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Manchester United's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday (September 21). The Red Devils are riding a two-game winning streak across competitions.
After winning 3-0 at Southampton in the league, Erik ten Hag's side trounced Barnsley 7-0 at home in their EFL Cup opener in midweek. Their focus now turns to Palace in the Premier League, with their last visit being a 4-0 defeat in May.
However, Sutton doesn't predict an encore as he tipped the Red Devils to take a 2-1 win, writing in his column for the BBC:
"Crystal Palace pumped Manchester United 4-0 in May, but since then they have sold Michael Olise, who scored twice in that game and makes goals as well as scores them. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner made a huge impact when he came in last season but, so far, this campaign has not been plain sailing for him.
"Glasner wants to play an attacking brand of football, but I feel like that will suit Manchester United and that Erik ten Hag's side can hurt Palace the same way they hurt Southampton last week."
He continued:
"It was a big moment in the game when Andre Onana saved Cameron Archer's penalty, but, after that, United were pretty good, with Marcus Rashford looking lively.
"My first instinct was that this would end in a draw, but I am actually going to go with United to win it. I am still not sure about Ten Hag, but I just have a sense they might be heading in the right direction, and Palace have not got going yet."
The Red Devils have won three of their five games across competitions this season.
Manchester United boss predicts 'different' outcome against Crystal Palace
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is not looking too much into the hiding his team received on their last trip to Crystal Palace four months back. A Michael Olise double, along with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell strikes, had sunk the Red Devils.
However, with a healthier squad at his disposal this time, the Dutchman is quietly confident of a different outcome for United as he said (as per BBC Sport's Simon Stone):
"It was a 4-0, totally deserved, but Saturday will be different. I don’t compare (situations). From February onwards, we had to find 11 players to construct a team. Now it is 18, and we can pick one."
Ten Hag's side have six points from four Premier League games, six points off leaders Manchester City.