Even Louis van Gaal could not explain how United won this fixture last season, the 2-1 smash-and-grab having been coloured by off-colour football. United’s no-thrills style remains a bone of contention, although not to Van Gaal. “Sticks and stones,” he says of the criticism. It is the results that matter and United, he argues, are improving. “United lull the stadium and take the positivity out of it by keeping possession,” Alan Pardew said. The Palace manager meant away stadiums. David Hytner

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Selhurst Park

Last season Crystal Palace 1 Manchester United 2

Referee Mike Jones

This season G7, Y24, R1, 3.71 cards per game

Odds H 3-1 A 11-10 D 5-2

Crystal Palace

Subs from A McCarthy, Speroni, Souaré, Mariappa, Delaney, Jedinak, Bamford, Mutch, Cabaye, Lee, Bolasie, Campbell

Doubtful Bolasie (head), Cabaye (knock), Delaney (match fitness), Puncheon (illness), Souaré (knock), Ward (match fitness)

Injured Wickham (match fitness, 8 Nov), Chamakh (match fitness, 20 Nov), Appiah (knee, Jan)

Suspended None

Form LLWWLL

Discipline Y19 R1

Leading scorer Cabaye 4

Manchester United

Subs from Johnstone, Romero, Blind, Lingard, Pereira, Fellaini, Depay, Wilson, Herrera, Schweinsteiger

Doubtful Depay (knock), Wilson (knock)

Injured Valencia (ankle, 7 Nov), McNair (liver, 14 Nov), Shaw (broken leg, Apr)

Suspended None

Form WWWLWD

Discipline Y16 R0

Leading scorers Martial, Mata 3