Manchester United have had a full week to prepare to face a Crystal Palace side who have been in European action.
The silver lining of losing the Europa League final last season is that Manchester United can set their full focus on the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim has finally had more time to train at Carrington between matches, something he cited as an issue throughout last season.
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Manchester United FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
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But United only sit 10th in the Premier League table after 12 games, and Amorim desperately needs a result at Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon to ease the pressure on his job.
Oliver Glasner will be opposite Amorim in the dugouts on Sunday, and the Crystal Palace manager hatched an interesting midweek plan for United target Adam Wharton.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in action.
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Adam Wharton denied a rest before Man United clash
There will be extra attention on Wharton’s performance on Sunday given that United are being linked with a move for the 21-year-old in 2026.
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Ahead of the Premier League clash, Palace travelled to face Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening and Wharton was interestingly left out of Glasner’s starting XI.
Glasner was likely trying to rest Wharton’s legs for the weekend, but an injury to Will Hughes just 31 minutes into the Strasbourg match meant that the plan had to be thrown out.
Do you agree with the United In Focus writer predictions for Man Utd vs Palace? Let us know yours…
Adnan Riaz: “2-1 to United, we must win this match and send a statement of intent ð¥”
Dale O’Donnell: “2-1 to United, Ruben Amorim needs a response from his players ðª”
Dan Coombs: “1-1 draw, United to take the lead and then blow it ð”
Jonny Maze: “3-2 to United, the players should be raring to get back on track ð”
Sean Fisher: “1-1 draw, the recent record vs Palace is not a pretty sight ð®”
Vatsal Gupta: “2-1 to United, Palace will be tired from midweek ð´”
Manchester United players celebrate scoring vs Tottenham.
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What do you think the score will be?
Wharton came on to replace Hughes for the remaining hour as Palace lost 2-1 to Strasbourg.
Glasner will be hoping to avoid a European hangover when United visit on Sunday, and now his star midfielder has also been denied a midweek rest.
Man United must take advantage of Crystal Palace schedule
Amorim knows exactly how tough it is to prepare for a Premier League match after a midweek European trip, and United must take advantage of the roles being flipped on Sunday.
United are entering their own hectic schedule of matches over the winter period, but there can be no excuses about the preparation for Sunday.
As well as Wharton’s substitute appearance, Palace named a strong line-up against Strasbourg with key players such as Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz and Marc Guehi all involved.
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Amorim accepted blame for United’s defeat to Everton, and explained that his players did not show enough intensity or energy in the 1-0 defeat.
Against Palace, there is no excuse for United to not run Palace off the pitch.