Crystal Palace have been somewhat of a bogey team for Manchester United in recent seasons, and were unbeaten in four games until this season. The Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils at Selhurst Park in November.
Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. But Joshua Zirkzee netted a 54th-minute equaliser before Mason Mount secured all three points for the visitors in the 63rd minute.
Palace come up against United in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday (March 1st). Oliver Glasner’s men are the underdogs ahead of that game, given they face the Premier League’s in-form team.
If you asked most English football fans last season which team was superior, they’d likely have gone with the South Londoners. That might no longer be the case, but there are certainly a few members of Glasner’s team who get into the hosts.
Manchester United and Crystal Palace Joint XI
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
It’s a toss-up between Dean Henderson and Senne Lammens, and experience means the Palace goalkeeper gets the nod. Both have been vital for their teams this season, and Lammens has taken no time at all adapting to life at Old Trafford.
Gone are the days of an erratic Andre Onana and an unreliable Altay Bayindir. Their new Belgian number one has been superb, and his calm demeanour has helped those in front of him.
Henderson is Palace’s hero, though, a leader who was crucial in his side’s FA Cup win last season. The English shot-stopper left United in the summer of 2023 and headed to Selhurst Park for more game time.
The 28-year-old is now regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the league, and he has won plenty of points for the Eagles this season. That’s why Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly set their sights on him ahead of the summer transfer window.
| Dean Henderson (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 27 |
| Clean Sheets: | 10 |
| Saves: | 74 |
| Goals Conceded: | 32 |
Right-back: Daniel Munoz
Daniel Munoz might be playing as a wing-back in Glasner’s system, but he is fully capable of playing as a full-back. The Colombian was incredible last season, and that includes going forward as well as defensively.
The bad news for Palace is that Munoz admitted he “dreams” of playing for United, who could be looking to upgrade from Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese right-back has impressed since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim, returning to a position he’s more comfortable.
Dalot has flaws in his game and can often get caught in possession while making several rash decisions. He gets a lot of unnecessary criticism, but he wouldn’t make the Eagles’ team over Munoz.
| Daniel Munoz (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 19 |
| Goals: | 3 |
| Assists: | 2 |
Centre-back: Harry Maguire
Another United man who has been in the firing line for a lengthy chunk of his Old Trafford spell is Harry Maguire. The resilience shown by the English centre-back to prove his critics wrong is admirable.
Maguire has stepped up and become the dominant defender the Reds thought they were buying for £80m back in 2019. He has been colossal this season, and his displays at the back are helping Carrick’s men push for a return to the Champions League.
Maxence Lacroix pushed Maguire close, and he is now Palace’s top central defender following Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City. Judging solely on this season, the Frenchman just misses out on a place in the joint XI.
| Harry Maguire (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 14 |
| Goals: | 1 |
| Assists: | 1 |
Centre-back: Lisandro Martinez
United fans adore Lisandro Martinez, and it’s easy to see why when he puts in monstrous performances such as the one in the 2-0 win over Manchester City. The Argentine kept Erling Haaland quiet throughout at Old Trafford, forcing Pep Guardiola to bring the Premier League’s top scorer off.
Martinez’s injury record is a worry for the Reds, given he has missed large periods of the past two seasons. When he’s fit and at his best, he is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the league.
Jaydee Canvot looks the real deal for Palace, but the 19-year-old is still at the very start of his career. Chadi Riad has been assured alongside Lacroix, but isn’t on Martinez’s level.
| Lisandro Martinez (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 14 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 0 |
Left-back: Tyrick Mitchell
This was the toughest one to call because Luke Shaw has been excellent this season. The United left-back is a brilliant footballer whose quality on the ball doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.
Shaw’s injury record is a huge problem for his club, though, and has been for some time, as they haven’t been able to count on him. While England has always counted on him, even when he’s been nursing a knock, the lack of caps handed to Tyrick Mitchell is shocking.
Mitchell is probably one of the most underrated full-backs in the league. He is always consistent, and his importance in the Eagles’ team goes under the radar, but that’s probably down to his admirable personality.
| Tyrick Mitchell (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 27 |
| Goals: | 1 |
| Assists: | 1 |
Central midfield: Adam Wharton
Since Carrick’s 4-3-3 system is proving to be a success thus far, it’s only fair to go with a three-man midfield. United are reportedly in the race to sign Adam Wharton as they prepare for life without Casemiro.
The English youngster might not be enjoying his best season since joining Palace, but he remains a key man in the Eagles’ team. His passing abilities, which spread the play with ease, are almost reminiscent of Paul Scholes’.
Wharton might not possess a dominant profile like Casemiro, but his defensive work rate is second to none. It’s why the Reds view him as a perfect option to replace the Brazilian.
| Adam Wharton (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 24 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 3 |
Central midfield: Kobbie Mainoo
Every Premier League fan was bemused by Amorim’s decision to continuously snub Kobbie Mainoo during his reign at United. Everybody could see just how talented the English starlet was, and that was no more apparent than at Euro 2024.
Carrick has put his faith in Mainoo and reaped the rewards, going unbeaten with the Red Devils’ academy graduate as a starter. He does everything with style and makes everything look easy, and a partnership with Wharton would make for one hell of a midfield.
The Palace midfielder who pushes the England international closest is Daichi Kamada, who played a crucial role in the FA Cup triumph. The Japanese midfielder has come on leaps and bounds following a slow start at Selhurst Park.
| Kobbie Mainoo (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 18 |
| Goals: | 0 |
| Assists: | 2 |
Attacking midfield: Bruno Fernandes
Any manager in the top-flight would bite your hand off to have Bruno Fernandes in their team. The Portuguese midfielder is staking his claim as the best playmaker in the Premier League with world-class performances.
Everything Fernandes touches seems to turn to gold, including his goal against Spurs last month, which came off his shin. Even when United play poorly, his standards rarely drop, and you can only stand and applaud his brilliance on the ball.
Perhaps the Red Devils captain’s moaning was the main reason he was faulted so long during his spell at the Theatre of Dreams. He is an outrageously good footballer who probably takes the armband too.
| Bruno Fernandes (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 24 |
| Goals: | 6 |
| Assists: | 12 |
Right wing: Ismaila Sarr
The impact Ismaila Sarr has made since joining Palace from Marseille in the summer of 2024 is astonishing. Replacing Michael Olise was an almost impossible task, but the Senegalese winger has come close with his consistency and proven eye for goal.
Sarr’s pace and clinical finishing abilities have been a real nuisance for the opposition. Just ask Aston Villa’s defenders, who he toyed with after scoring a brace in the 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win last season.
The 28-year-old attacker takes the right-wing spot at the expense of Amad Diallo, who has yet to put up similar goalscoring numbers. The Ivorian is only young and is still growing, but he might not even make United’s best XI.
| Ismaila Sarr (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 17 |
| Goals: | 5 |
| Assists: | 1 |
Striker: Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo is receiving shouts as the Premier League’s Signing of the Season, and it’s hard to disagree. Many players who make big-money moves to United crumble under the pressure of playing for the Reds.
That hasn’t been the case for Mbeumo following his £70m switch from Brentford. He has lived up to the hype and come to the fore in the big occasions, including against Liverpool, Arsenal and City.
Mbeumo has been handed a false nine role under Carrick and has impressed until recently. Jean-Philippe Mateta can battle Benjamin Sesko for a place on the bench and, if building this team last season, would probably get a starting spot.
| Bryan Mbeumo (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 22 |
| Goals: | 9 |
| Assists: | 3 |
Left wing: Matheus Cunha
This was a difficult decision because Matheus Cunha is more of an outside forward than a winger and likes to move inside. The Brazilian was somewhat unconvincing in the early stages of the season but has started to replicate the stunning performances from his spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United made sure they were the ones to seal his signature when they triggered his £62.5m release clause the day after the 2024-25 campaign. He is a fighter and possesses a fiery personality that riles up the opposition.
Cunha does have a fight on his hands to continue on the left of a three-man attack for the Red Devils. Patrick Dorgu was preferred by Carrick before the Dane suffered a serious hamstring injury.
| Matheus Cunha (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 24 |
| Goals: | 6 |
| Assists: | 2 |
