Manchester United's quest to climb the Premier League table faces a significant hurdle as they prepare to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with both teams grappling with a mounting injury crisis that could see up to eight players sidelined.
United's Mounting Injury Concerns
The Red Devils are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Everton, but manager Ruben Amorim has been dealt a severe blow with key attackers Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko ruled out. Cunha sustained a minor injury during training on Saturday, while Sesko continues to struggle with a knee problem.
To compound United's defensive woes, Harry Maguire is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the clash with Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Amorim provided a sobering update, confirming Sesko and Maguire require more time to recover, though he expects Cunha to be available for Thursday night's clash with West Ham.
Crystal Palace's Selection Headaches
The Eagles are not immune to fitness issues either. Manager Oliver Glasner confirmed in his Friday press conference that Borna Sosa will definitely miss the game. Will Hughes remains a doubt, though the club is hopeful he will be included in the matchday squad.
Further absentees for the south London side include Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucoure, and Rio Cardines. Of this trio, only Cardines has featured this campaign, with all his appearances coming from the substitutes' bench in October.
League Position and Stakes
This fixture carries significant weight for United, who find themselves in a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League following Newcastle's victory over Everton. The defeat to Everton saw United miss a golden opportunity to break into the top five.
Despite their lowly position, Amorim's side still has a mathematical chance of securing fifth place this weekend, but only if they can overcome Crystal Palace and other results go their way. The team has had extra days to prepare for this match, a small advantage after Palace's strenuous 2-1 UEFA Conference League defeat to Strasbourg on Thursday night.
With both teams missing pivotal figures, the stage is set for a tense encounter where squad depth will be tested to its limits.
