Manchester United head to London on Sunday, where they’ll take on Crystal Palace, the only team with cheerleaders in the entire Premier League. United Manager Jose Mourinho met the media today to preview this match, as well as the Europa League final on Wednesday night (video of that available at this link).
Here’s a list of who’s unavailable for the Red Devils. (Also, here’s a link to our MUFC starting XI prediction)
Mourinho said Chris Smalling (match fitness), who sat out training today has “a problem” but he should be fit for the Europa League final.
The just returned from suspension Marouane Fellaini (hamstring) also missed training, and he was labeled “a question mark” for Sunday.
Regarding Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Mourinho said:
“Fosu-Mensah plays Sunday [against Crystal Palace] and if the reaction is good and he plays without problems, he is a new option for us for the final.”
Obviously, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo (both knee), Luke Shaw (foot), and Ashley Young (hamstring) are all out long term.
Mourinho will essentially treat this like a friendly, as he’ll play what could be as many as nine U23s in this one. The United boss has been open about playing the kids since the beginning of the month.
Survival Sunday Betting Odds (via Sky Bet):
Crystal Palace- 13/8 Draw- 23/10 Manchester United- 13/8
Match Prediction: United 1, Palace 0
I was really tempted to pick a draw here, given how meaningless this match is for both sides, but with United playing so many kids, my gut feeling is that a couple of them will treat this match like a trophy tilt and rise up to the occasion. After all, for many of these guys, it is the biggest moment of their professional lives.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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