Injury Woes Mount for Manchester United and Crystal Palace Ahead of Premier League Showdown
Manchester United and Crystal Palace are both contending with a spate of injury setbacks as they prepare for their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The match, scheduled for a 2pm kick-off, could see up to eight players sidelined, casting a shadow over both teams' preparations.
Manchester United's Treatment Table Troubles
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has expressed disappointment over the fitness issues plaguing his squad. Defender Lisandro Martinez remains a major doubt after missing the recent victory over Everton due to a knock. Carrick provided an update, stating, "Licha is a lot closer than Patrick is. It will be a matter of days, hopefully, it won’t be too long. We’ll assess him over the next day or two, and see where he is."
In addition to Martinez, full-back Patrick Dorgu is ruled out with an injury sustained during the win against Arsenal. Defender Matthijs de Ligt is also unavailable, dealing with a back issue that Carrick described as progressing slowly. Midfielder Mason Mount is edging closer to a return but is unlikely to feature against Palace, having been sidelined for the past four matches.
Crystal Palace's Injury Headaches
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner faces similar challenges, with his squad depleted ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. Striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta is recovering from a knee injury and is expected to be out for the next two to three weeks. Midfielder Jefferson Lerma is set to miss approximately three weeks with a hamstring problem picked up against Burnley.
Further concerns include striker Eddie Nketiah, who has suffered a setback in his recovery, and midfielder Cheick Doucoure, who will also be absent. Defender Maxence Lacroix marked his return from an adductor injury with a goal in the UEFA Conference League play-off against Zrinjski Mostar, but Glasner is cautious about his availability, saying, "I don't know [if he can play twice in three days]. Hopefully, the goal helps a little bit! He did very well. Right now, it looks OK, but let's see how the reaction is."
Fixture Schedule Impact
Manchester United have benefited from the absence of European football this season, allowing extra time for recovery and preparation. In contrast, Crystal Palace were in action midweek, competing in the UEFA Conference League, which could leave them fatigued. Carrick has had nearly a week to prepare his side, potentially giving United an advantage in terms of freshness and tactical readiness.
Despite the injury concerns, both teams will be eager to secure a positive result in this Premier League fixture. The absence of key players may force managers to rely on squad depth and tactical adjustments, adding an element of unpredictability to the match.
