How Amorim Plans to Break The Eagles at Selhurst Park- Full Match Preview and Prediction for Crystal Palace vs Man United

When Crystal Palace meet Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Sunday evening, two managers with similar formations will go head to head. The same 3-4-2-1 has been a cause of joy for Oliver Glasner, while it was crucified in United's case for Ruben Amorim.

Find out how Amorim can use the same formation to beat the Eagles at a hostile away ground in the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United prediction. Also find the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United preview, Crystal Palace vs Manchester United injury list and Crystal Palace vs Manchester United predicted lineups here.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Preview

Crystal Palace sit sixth ahead of their clash with Manchester United. A home victory will take them to fourth place. They boast the second meanest defence in the league and have conceded only single-digit goals. The Eagles are one of the most well-coached and disciplined teams in the league thanks to Oliver Glasner.

With a striker who can occupy the centre-backs and two number 10s who play narrowly behind the striker, their front three is a nightmare for any defence on the break. Their midfield flat four is a mix of pace and technique.

Adam Wharton's playmaking is complemented by the industry of Daichi Kamada and the excellent threat from the wide areas by Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell. The back three marshalled by ex-United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is compact and suffocates attackers. With Selhurst Park roaring behind them, they enter the Manchester United game as favourites, as they have won three of their previous four meetings.

What has worked so well for Glasner has not gone in favour of Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager tasted defeat on his managerial anniversary against 10-man Everton. The Red Devils had plenty of ball against the Toffees but rarely threatened them.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher blasted the manager for his awkward substitutions and uninspiring tactics. Amorim stuck with 3-4-2-1 through thick and thin at United despite the risk of a sack hanging in the air. It looked like he turned it around as they emerged on a five-game unbeaten run, but the Everton game reminded us that the systematic issues persist.

So how can Amorim tweak his tactics to get the better of the Eagles? For starters, he is handicapped as he doesn't have his favourite big number 9 Benjamin Sesko, who can pin down the centre-backs. He is even without Matheus Cunha due to an injury.

Kobbie Mainoo played false 9 last time against the Eagles, but Joshua Zirkzee can get the nod this time. Amorim has also been playing Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, but it does not play to his strengths at all. Playing Amad Diallo as a wing-back limits his attacking threat and exposes his defensive shortcomings. It also forces Diogo Dalot, a right-footer, to the left, where he can neither beat a man nor cross effectively.

Amorim has a chance to use Bryan Mbeumo as a striker and use Amad and Bruno behind him with Dalot and Patrick Dorgu occupying the correct wings; they will clash with Palace's threat directly. Mainoo has to play at the centre of the midfield to give them ball progression and some central creativity.

Allowing Matthijs De Ligt to play centrally will raise his level and cover the half spaces well. He can also focus on ceding the ball to Palace and play on the break to neutralise Palace's own counterattacking ability. These tweaks will help them beat Palace on Sunday.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Match Info

Match Name: Premier League, Matchday 13

Stadium Name: Selhurst Park, London, UK

Kickoff: 30th November, 2025, 12:00 GMT

Crystal Palace Team News

Marc Guehi will play on Sunday, according to Glasner, as the English international was withdrawn at the break midweek against Strasbourg. With no fresh injuries, the manager is expected to stick with his strongest eleven in a crucial clash. Here's more information on the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United predicted lineups.

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Henderson

Defenders: Richards, Lacroix, Guehi

Midfielders: Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell

Forwards: Pino, Sarr; Mateta

Manchester United Team News

Amorim confirmed Cunha will not be available this weekend as well after suffering a freak head injury in training. However, he is hopeful of Lisandro Martinez against the Eagles as he returns to full fitness after his ACL injury. He is expected to make a cameo off the bench on the left of the back three, replacing Luke Shaw later on.

Manchester United Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Lammens

Defenders: Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw

Midfielders: Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu

Forwards: Amad, Fernandes; Mbeumo

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Injuries

Both teams have some key players ruled out of the fixture. Here are more updates on the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United injuries.

Crystal Palace Injury List

Here's the Crystal Palace injured players list ahead of the Manchester United clash.

Manchester United Injury List

Here's the Manchester United injured players list ahead of the Crystal Palace clash.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Prediction

Palace has been Manchester United's bogey team recently. The Eagles served humiliating defeats to the Red Devils, both home and away. Their form will give them confidence to get the job done once again.

Amorim, however, will be hopeful of taking a page out of Glasner's book and beating him with his own formula. We predict that the hosts will take all three points after a nervy encounter.

SportsDunia's Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Manchester United