United Injury Report at Palace: Martial, Rashford, Herrera, Mata, Lingard, Matic

(Update: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides fitness situation information during Tuesday news conference)

Manchester United somehow found a way to gut out a draw against Liverpool yesterday, despite being severely short-handed due to a nightmarish injury scenario that erupted in the first half. The rash of Red Devils injuries was so fluky and extreme that even opposing manager Jurgen Klopp found a way to blame this phenomenon for his own side’s getting flustered and losing their rhythm.

Now it’s a very quick turnaround to the next league fixture, Wednesday night at Crystal Palace. Interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a major selection headache for this match, and it’s inevitable that a host of youth team players will feature. With the midfield especially ravaged by injury, expect to see a youngster or two in the first team on Wednesday.

Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata are all likely to be ruled out, as the trio all suffered hamstring injuries in the first 45 minutes at Old Trafford yesterday.

“I have never seen it before, three hamstrings in the first half,” Solskjaer said at his post match news conference. “Rashy was kicked and did his ankle straight away. We should have taken him off as well — we played with 10-and-a-half but the fans made up for it. There were quite a few fouls on him, and normally you would take him off after five minutes.

“His ankle blew up and he wanted to run it off; Juan and Ander came off; so I hope he’s not damaged himself too much.”

Also, forward Anthony Martial is a doubt after suffering a setback during his recovery from a groin injury. Finally, midfielder Nemanja Matic suffered a muscular injury in training on Saturday and missed the Liverpool match entirely. Scott McTominay did a decent job in his stead, and played admirably. However Matic, he could be out for up to a month, according to reports.

Got all that?

Palace currently sit 13th in the table, with 30 points, but just six above the drop zone and 18th place Southampton.

Manchester United at Crystal Palace FC FYIs

Kick-off: Wednesday February 27, Selhurst Park, 8pm (BST), 2pm (CST)

United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link

Odds via Ladbrokes: United 5/4, Draw 12/5, Crystal Palace 21/10

Google Result Probability: Manchester United win 42%, Draw 28%, Crystal Palace win 30%

Prediction: United 1, Palace 0

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.

He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.

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