Marcus Rashford is hopeful Manchester United can construct on their dominant EFL Cup success over Barnsley once they go to Crystal Palace within the Premier League on Saturday, highlighting the significance of their attackers constructing optimistic relationships.
Rashford scored twice as United routed the third-tier facet 7-0 at Outdated Trafford, reaching the fourth spherical of a contest they gained in Ten Hag’s first season on the helm in 2022-23.
On Saturday, they return to the scene of one in all their most humiliating defeats underneath the Dutchman, dealing with a Crystal Palace facet that thrashed them 4-0 in Could.
Rashford – who additionally opened his Premier League account for the season in final week’s 3-0 victory at Southampton – believes the boldness garnered from United’s midweek win may take them far.
“It’s essential to have these relationships on the pitch however I feel as a entrance unit, linking with the midfield, we did very effectively,” Rashford informed Sky Sports activities.
“Earlier than the primary aim, it was somewhat tough however after the primary one, we discovered higher areas and we most likely made higher choices with a purpose to rating.”
Requested if the targets would now begin to stream for him, Rashford stated: “It’s early to say however I hope so. We’ll transfer onto the following recreation now and simply relaxation, get better and concentrate on the following one.
“Soccer is soccer, typically you have got ups and typically you have got downs. We now have to make use of these video games to search out momentum and discover consistency.”
Palace, in the meantime, are sixteenth within the desk with two factors from 4 matches, although they did earn a 2-1 EFL Cup win at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday.
Having netted on his return to his former membership, attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze stated: “After all, to return again right here and to attain is a superb feeling.
“That was the principle factor as to what we needed to return right here and do: win, undergo to the following spherical, and put in a efficiency.
“It’s a tough place to return. You possibly can see the ambiance, it’s not simple to play underneath, however we did what we would have liked to do, and that’s a very powerful factor.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta
Since Glasner’s first recreation in cost in February, solely Erling Haaland (19) has scored extra Premier League targets than Mateta (15 in 17 video games), together with a aim in Could’s 4-0 rout of the Crimson Devils.
In that point, he has additionally scored a number of targets on 4 events (three braces, one hat-trick) – solely Wilfried Zaha has ever scored greater than as soon as in additional completely different Premier League video games for the Eagles (six braces).
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
United captain Fernandes has had extra photographs with out scoring than every other participant within the Premier League up to now this season (13).
General, United have the third-highest anticipated targets whole within the Premier League this time period (7.9 xG) however have scored 5 targets, with solely Southampton (4.6 xG, one aim) registering a worse underperformance. They are going to hope Fernandes can lead from the entrance right here.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Glasner’s Palace beat United 4-0 within the Premier League final season – solely eight managers have ever gained their first two video games towards the Crimson Devils within the competitors, most not too long ago Roberto De Zerbi with Brighton in September 2023.
That victory was a part of a Premier League double by the Eagles, the primary time they’ve ever crushed United in consecutive league matches.
United have now misplaced two of their final three away league video games towards Palace (one draw), having gone unbeaten by way of their earlier 13 such visits to Selhurst Park, successful 9 and drawing 4.
The Crimson Devils have struggled in London extra typically underneath Ten Hag, solely successful two of their final 16 away Premier League video games within the capital (4 attracts, 10 defeats), with each victories coming at Fulham (2-1 in November 2022, 1-0 in November 2023).
With Palace winless within the Premier League up to now this season (two attracts, two defeats) after ending 2023-24 with six victories of their last seven video games (one draw), it is probably not a shock to see the spoils shared.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Crystal Palace – 35.9%
Manchester United – 39.1%
Draw – 25%
