Updates from Premier League clash at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Today’s Premier League clash is between Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Palace, beaten 5-0 away by City in their last game, avoided a repetition but have become only the second team since the Premier League began to lose their first seven games.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has bemoaned the fact that his side will be without a single fit first-team striker this weekend, admitting he has faced the situation just once in his 41-year managerial career.

City must beat Chelsea to regain top spot from their Manchester rivals on goal difference.

And with four minutes remaining, in-form Romelu Lukaku slotted in an easy finish from Anthony Martial’s pass to secure a comfortable victory for the Red Devils.

Jose Mourinho’s side hasn’t lost in its last twenty Premier League matches.

Carrick and Jones were absent from Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow in Russian Federation and during his press conference on Friday, Mourinho told reporters that the pair remain unavailable.

Since losing 2-1 to Champions League holders Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13, United have won eight of their nine matches in all competitions.

And yet, according to the Times on Friday, Martial is unable to lock down a place in the Man United starting XI.

Lukaku has already showed huge improvement under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Loftus-Cheek has a thigh strain which he’s been battling with for some period of time, which will keep him out of the game. Furthermore, along with the lack of goals, they have also been struck with a lack of important players in their squad. “So I think it’s normal, a little bit of relaxation”. Ashley Young meanwhile should continue at left-back with Mourinho liking his crossing ability and attacking nature.

Chris Smalling nodded the wrong side of the post right on half-time but it didn’t prove to be costly. Spaniard, Juan Mata who was an unused substitute in Russian Federation will start while Marcus Rashford could come in place of Martial. The Swedish legend will have a part to play when he returns from injury, but he won’t be a regular starter ahead of Lukaku. James Tomkins is sick while Tim Fosu-Mensah is also unavailable to face his parent club.

Crystal Palace: Hennessy; Ward, Dann, Sakho, van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Cabaye; Townsend, Sako, Schlupp; Ladapo.

United have only conceded two goals this season, with De Gea keeping five clean sheets in six games.