Manchester United could get £60million transfer answer in season-defining game

Manchester United are looking to improve on a run of two wins in their last nine Premier League games when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.

United's stumbles in the league have ended their chances of Champions League qualification and have instead left them fighting for a top six spot. Erik ten Hag has more injuries to contend with as well, with Harry Maguire ruled out and Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes battling to prove their fitness to feature against the in-form Eagles, who have three of their previous games and have been impressive under new manager Oliver Glasner.

Fernandes' record at stake

Bruno Fernandes is yet to miss a United game through injury after more than four years at the club but he is a doubt for the game at Selhurst Park and faces a race against time to maintain that perfect record.

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The 29-year-old suffered a broken hand at Wembley two weeks ago and has played through the pain barrier against Sheffield United and Burnley, but he had a problem after that draw with the Clarets that has left him doubtful.

Fernandes' absence would probably give Mason Mount the chance to start in his preferred attacking midfield role, but United would be weaker without their in-form captain and at a time when they need the points that would be bad news.

Olise scouting mission

This Palace squad is full of entertaining attacking outlets and right-winger Michael Olise, the subject of interest from Chelsea last summer, is attracting coveted glances once again. United are one of the teams reported to be in for the 22-year-old and they will get to see up-close just how good he is tonight.

His record of seven goals and four assists in 16 Premier League games this season is impressive. With Antony set to start on the right for United the comparison between the effectiveness of the two wingers will be something to keep an eye on.

Points and goals needed

A run of just two wins in nine Premier League games means there is now a real danger that United could end up out of Europe entirely, never mind having to settle for the Europa Conference League.

Winning the FA Cup could still make the league finish irrelevant when it comes to Europe, but that is a pressure you don't want in a game in which you are underdogs for. A strong finish in the final four games is badly needed.

This United side still has work to do to avoid the records set in 2021/22 as well, when a record of 57 goals scored resulted in a goal difference of zero and a return of 58 points was the lowest in the Premier League era. They are five goals and four points short of those tallies at the moment.

Palace playing well

This game will be a test for United as well. Under Glasner Palace have improved drastically and they are now unbeaten in four games, with three of them wins. Their last two at Selhurst Park have ended in a 5-2 win against West Ham and a 2-0 success against Newcastle.

With Eze and Olise pulling the strings, Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring goals and Adam Wharton looking like an excellent buy in midfield they pose a real threat. United will need to be at their best to get a result.