Manchester United vs Crystal Palace team news and match preview
Man Utd face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend and here is the early team news.
Ruben Amorim's side are back in action when they travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday lunchtime and will hope to bounce back from their defeat to Everton at the start of the week. United are set to be without three first-team stars for the upcoming match and have boosted their numbers by including five promising teenagers in training.
Matheus Cunha will not be available for selection after his recent head injury, while Harry Maguire is also not ready to return. Cunha is expected to be available when United host West Ham in the Premier League next week, but they will be short of attackers this weekend with Benjamin Sesko also out. The Slovenian striker is still several weeks away from a return to action after his recent knee injury.
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Five academy stars in first-team training
Manchester United could name an academy star on the bench when they face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend. Ruben Amorim named teenager Shea Lacey in the matchday squad to face Everton on Monday night and could include the youngster again amid a lack of attacking options.
Lacey was one of those who took part in the pre-match training sessions at Carrington this week, along with JJ Gabriel, Noah Ajayi, Godwill Kukonki and Jim Thwaites. It is the latest involvement for 15-year-old wonderkid Gabriel, who also trained with the senior side last month ahead of their win over Brighton.
The 15-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest talents in the club's illustrious academy and has already been dubbed the 'next Neymar' due to his immense technical ability. Gabriel idolises the Brazilian forward and has modelled his personal game on emulating the star. United have been keen to ease the expectations on the teenage sensation, though he has been fast-tracked into their U18 side this season, where he has seven goals and one assist in nine appearances. He has 10 goals in 12 appearances in total for the U18 side since he made his debut last season.
No matter how well he does in training, the academy wonderkid can't play in the Premier League this season due to competition rules requiring players must be aged 15 as of 31 August 2025 to be eligible for selection.
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