Paul Merson sends blunt Manchester United message as worrying Crystal Palace predictions made

Manchester United head to in-form Crystal Palace on Monday in the Premier League as they look to extend their unbeaten run in the English top-flight.

Erik ten Hag's side travel to Selhurst Park looking to make it five league matches without a defeat, with their last coming against Chelsea at the beginning of April.

United are looking to keep their European hopes alive going into their final three matches. A win would see them leapfrog Chelsea and Newcastle United into sixth and to within three points of Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League spot.

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They come up against a stern Palace outfit, who are in good form under Oliver Glasner. The Austrian's side are in good form in their last four outings, picking up wins over Liverpool, West Ham United and the Magpies, while earning a good point at city rivals, Fulham.

Here's what the pundits have predicted.

Paul Merson - SportsKeeda

He told SportsKeeda: "If Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are fully fit, Crystal Palace will beat Mancheser United and anyone who has watched the Red Devils in recent weeks will agree with me.

"Manchester United are a massive football club, but not a massive football team anymore. Their team is not even remotely close to being considered good enough considering the size of the club. I'd be more shocked if Manchester United won this game - that's where it's got to at the moment.

"There have been reports that Marcus Rashford could be offloaded this summer. I like him but blows hot and cold far too often for teams to pay silly money for him, so I cant see him getting a transfer."

Prediction: Palace 2-1 Man United

Chris Sutton - BBC

"I keep getting abuse from Manchester United fans on social media saying I never back them on here... but we keep on seeing why I rarely back them to win," he wrote in his BBC Sport prediction.

"They were played off the park by Burnley last week, and were fortunate to get a point. So, how can I possibly back them to beat Palace?

"The one thing that might help Erik ten Hag's side is that Eagles forward Eberechi Eze is doubtful with a knee injury, but Jean-Philippe Mateta is still on fire and will be a real handful for the United defence.

"Palace won 1-0 at Old Trafford in September but I don't want to upset United fans again by predicting they will suffer another defeat.

"I do want to tip Palace to win, but there are so many angry United fans out there who think I am against their club, I am going to say United will get a lucky draw to try to get them onside."

Prediction: Palace 1-1 United

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

Speaking to Paddy Power, he said: "There’s strange messages coming out of Manchester United at the moment about what they will or will not do in the summer.

"I think everyone’s just guessing. Crystal Palace have been good under their new manager Oliver Glasner but I think the results are helped by the fact the two boys Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are back. I’m going to go for Palace to win this."

Prediction: Palace 2-1 Manchester United.