Louis van Gaal feels “lousy” about Manchester United’s position so surely Crystal Palace before a packed Old Trafford offers the chance to take three points and start a pleasing run of results? The manager was in pugnacious mood on Friday yet injuries to Jonny Evans, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones plus Chris Smalling’s suspension means Michael Carrick may be used as a stop-gap central defender. Neil Warnock’s side are bound to make life awkward, too. Jamie Jackson

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Old Trafford

Last season Manchester United 2 Crystal Palace 0

Referee C Foy

This season G6, Y15, R3, 3.0 cards per game

Odds H 1-3 A 11-1 D 5-1

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Vermijl, W Keane, Mata, Anderson, Da Silva, James, Young, Wilson, Herrera, McNair

Doubtful Da Silva (hamstring)

Injured Evans (foot, 29 Nov), Rojo (shoulder, Dec), Falcao (calf, unknown), Jones (shin, unknown), Lingard (knee, unknown),

Suspended Smalling (one match)

Form LWWDDL

Discipline Y20 R3

Leading scorers Di María, Rooney, Van Persie 3

Crystal Palace

Subs from Hennessey, Kettings, Mariappa, Hangeland, Fryers, Bannan, Thomas, Doyle, Johnson, Gayle, Guedioura

Doubtful Delaney (illness)

Injured None

Suspended Jedinak (one match)

Form WWLLDL

Discipline Y17 R3

Leading scorers Campbell, Jedinak 3