Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Early Injury News Reveals Major Absences
Crystal Palace are set to travel to Old Trafford this Sunday for a crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester United, but they will be grappling with a substantial injury list that could impact their performance. The Eagles head into this match following their Conference League second leg against Zrinjski on Thursday night, aiming to build on their recent form which has seen them win two of their last three league outings, though Premier League safety remains a work in progress.
Injury Blow for Palace as Key Players Sidelined
Manchester United, currently holding fourth place in the league after a narrow victory over Everton on Monday, will face a Palace side missing several important contributors. The early injury news paints a challenging picture for the visitors, with six players definitively ruled out and three others listed as doubts, casting uncertainty over their lineup.
Confirmed Absences for Crystal Palace:
- Patrick Dorgu: The defender is sidelined until late March due to a hamstring issue sustained in January.
- Cheick Doucoure: Manager Glasner indicated that Doucoure has "a long way to go" in his recovery, with an expected return date not until May.
- Eddie Nketiah: Similarly ruled out, with no immediate timeline for his comeback.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta: Currently in rehabilitation, Mateta is hoped to return within the next two to three weeks, but he will miss this fixture.
- Jefferson Lerma: Suffered a hamstring injury against Burnley and is anticipated to be out for approximately three weeks.
- Matthijs de Ligt: Described by Carrick as having a "serious" issue, his absence is confirmed with an unclear duration.
Doubtful Players Add to Selection Headaches
In addition to the confirmed outs, three players are considered doubts, further complicating team selection. Mason Mount is reportedly "getting closer" to a return, but Carrick emphasized patience to avoid setbacks, leaving his availability uncertain. Lisandro Martinez tweaked his calf in the last outing and is unlikely to feature, though he remains a doubt until officially ruled out. Maxence Lacroix also faces concerns after experiencing adductor problems during the Conference League game, with Glasner noting it "doesn't look really good," making his participation doubtful.
This injury situation could force tactical adjustments for Crystal Palace as they seek to challenge a Manchester United side in strong form. The absence of key players like Doucoure and Mateta may weaken their midfield and attack, while the doubts over Mount and Martinez add layers of unpredictability. Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring pre-match updates to see how these factors influence the dynamics of this Premier League showdown.
