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Hello and welcome to today’s liveblog. The teams are in…
De Gea, Valencia, McNair, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Carrick, Januzaj, Rooney, Di Maria, van Persie.
Speroni, Mariappa, Delaney, Dann, Ward, Puncheon, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Chamakh, Campbell.
There is some suggestion that Daley Blind could play centre-back, with Michael Carrick pushing into midfield, in contrast with the City game.
We’ll have to wait and see for confirmation…
A United-Palace game, of course, will inevitably bring back memories of this unforgettable moment from 1995.
Well that’s that settled then.
(The Crystal Palace team get off the train that Manchester City are getting on)
In another big Premier League game, it’s finished Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea.
Check out how the game transpired right here.
We’re underway…
Januzaj gets an early shot in that flies just over.
It’s been a promising start for United.
Van Persie turns beautifully to get away from the defender only for McArthur to cynically take him down.
The free kick then comes to nothing, as Valencia ultimately overhits a cross into the box.
Palace have looked relatively comfortable and well organised so far.
It could be a difficult afternoon for United, as their opponents seemingly won’t be easy to break down.
Plenty of intricate passing from United so far, but no real cutting edge as of yet.
It’s even been a decent spell for Palace, who have dominated territory in the last few minutes.
(Manchester United and Crystal Palace players observe a minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday before kick-off)
Palace are growing into this game and just produced a good spell of passes.
However, their progress comes to a halt when Jason Puncheon inexplicably hammers the ball straight out of play.
Regularly getting balls in to Fellaini is a clear tactic from United. Di Maria’s cross has just missed him.
United look a little short on ideas at the moment.
Nevertheless, as I type, Di Maria goes on a good run before finding Rooney, who then blasts it well over from the edge of the box.
Man United continue to dominate possession and territory, but they’re still lacking a bit of ingenuity in the final third.
Can one of their many stars step up?
Cynical play from Joel Ward, who gets tackled by Januzaj and then pulls him back. He’s booked for his troubles.
United are reminiscent of Spain at the last World Cup right now — plenty of possession and territory, yet there’s a conspicuous lack of intensity in their play at the moment.
A rare chance for Palace, as Yannick Bolasie sprints down the wing and Luke Shaw almost diverts it in to his own goal, but puts it wide.
Shortly thereafter, Frazier Campbell goes through, after the United defence fail to deal with a long ball. However, his attempted lob of De Gea goes over the bar.
Some warning signs for United to take heed of in the last few minutes.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
So half-time and it hasn’t been the most enthralling of contests, but it’s tactically intriguing nevertheless.
United have controlled the game, as expected, but Palace look dangerous on the break, and have had the best chance of the half, when Frazier Campbell sprinted through on goal, but failed in his attempt to lob De Gea.
United’s defence has seldom been tested, but there have been signs of nerves when it has, with Daley Blind and Paddy McNair initially failing to deal with the long ball that led to the Campbell chance.
The second half is underway…
Do you agree?
Rooney is playing in a more advanced role in the second half, as United press for the all-important first goal.
Still no real intensity from United in the early parts of the second half though, meaning it’s more or less a replica of the first period so far.
Great direct run from McNair, who started life as a midfielder, all of a sudden./
He eventually plays it to Rooney, who curls his shot from the edge of the box just wide.
(Crystal Palace’s Fraizer Campbell covers his head after missing a chance)
Delaney is somewhat lucky, as he has his arms all over Fellaini during a corner, yet the referee ignores it, and to be fair, the Belgian was pulling the Irish defender as well.
Mata has replaced Januzaj, who has had a quiet day. Can the Spaniard provide some much-needed inspiration?
GOAL FOR UNITED!
Man United 1-0 Crystal Palace (Mata 66)
Only just after coming on, Mata scores with a deflected shot from just outside the box.
Could Speroni have done better? Replays suggest so.
Wilson has replaced Di Maria. The youngster will play in an advanced role, with Van Persie dropping deeper, while Carrick has gone into defence, with Blind pushing into midfield.
Is Louis van Gaal the new ‘tinkerman’?
Palace are still playing quite pragmatically despite needing a goal.
A rare attack from the visitors has just ended with a weak Damien Delaney shot that De Gea collects easily.
Bannan and Gayle have replaced Chamakh and Bolasie as Palace search for a late equaliser.
United’s makeshift defence is still looking quite comfortable, however.
A goalmouth scramble ends with Mata hitting the post from the edge of the box.
United looking more likely to add to their lead, rather than conceding.
United now passing the ball around confidently and looking very much the superior side.
Palace don’t seem to have a plan B, after their attempts to avoid conceding failed.
As I type, Rooney drives forward and curls a shot just wide.
Kevin Doyle has replaced Frazier Campbell, while Darren Fletcher is on for Paddy McNair for United.
No sign of a late shock here — it’s been relatively uneventful in recent minutes.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
So that’s that.
It wasn’t the most convincing of performances from United, but they got there in the end.
Yet Louis van Gaal will know they have a long way to go still — their defence looked nervy when tested, while all too often, they lacked intensity and creativity in the final third.
Palace, meanwhile, defended manfully, but offered little going forward, and never looked like recovering after going behind.
Right, that’s all from me today.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and we’ll have more reaction from the game to follow shortly.
