Erik ten Hag takes his beaming MUFC players to a struggling Crystal Palace outfit at Selhurst Park.
But this is a defining game.
Should we go there and play as we have done in the last two and get a good win, then people will start to take us seriously and know that perhaps there is a change for the better at United.
On the other hand, go there and flop just as we have done in the past then people will say we're only good enough to beat relegation fodder (Southampton) and League One sides (Barnsley) and that true progress hasn't been made.
Erik ten Hag really needs a performance here to show that he and United mean business.
Predicted Lineup
It's never easy with our manager which is kind of good and bad but I do believe I've gotten as close as possible with this predicted XI.
Onana will return so will Mazraoui at right-back with Dalot moving to left-back. The two played on Tuesday night as Mazraoui came on for Dalot after an hour so both had good game time and some rest. I'd imagine they'd be 100% ready for this one.
Martinez and De Ligt will both return at centre-back. The two had a rest against Barnsley although De Ligt did make a cameo appearance while the butcher had a complete night off.
A fully fresh back four. That's what we like to see.
The midfield is the area that was a bit difficult to select.
All three midfielders of Casemiro, Ugarte and Eriksen performed superbly with the Dane bagging two goals and an assist. After a display like that, it would be really harsh to leave him out. As you can see though, I have because captain magnifico makes his way back into the starting lineup. He too came off the bench and in true Bruno fashion, managed to pick up two assists.
Kobbie Mainoo was another to have a complete rest but it's hard to imagine a United side without the youngster at the moment. He returns too although I wouldn't be surprised if the manager went with both Casemiro and Ugarte and left Mainoo on the bench.
He could also stick with a winning midfield as Eriksen partnered Mainoo last week in the win at Southampton. That is an option as well.
However, I've gone with Casemiro as my predicted CDM for Palace. I think it should be Ugarte and it wouldn't come as a shock if he did pick the Uruguayan but I've a gut feeling he'll go with the Brazilian.
Up front I've brought Zirkzee back in as striker. Rashford did a great job there against Barnsley but it was only Barnsley (with all due respect) and we were at home. Away against Premier League opposition is another story. I believe someone like Zirkzee will be better suited to face Palace.
Rashford will move to his preferred left whilst Amad replaces Antony on the right.
I find that to be a pretty strong side and now, much like ten Hag said, we have options off the bench. Garnacho, Antony, Eriksen, Ugarte/Casemiro, Eriksen, Maguire and potentially Hojlund and Mount.
What a difference having most of your squad available makes.
United's Approach
In seasons gone by, games like Palace especially on the road, would mean a more conservative approach from United. We would sit deep and look to hit on the break.
While that is still an option, I think we need to start moving away from that style and to one that is more on the front foot and possession-based, exactly what we saw for an hour at St. Mary's and all game against Barnsley.
Erik ten Hag will know that if he wants true progression, dominant football against good opponents is the next step.
What we've been doing well is conceding fewer chances and making several of our own. Last season, we gave away on average 20 shots per game. This particular game last season saw United give away 18 shots en route to a 4-0 hammering.
When looking at the first four games of last season, MUFC gave away an average of 16.5 shots per game whereas this season, that average is down to 10.25, a swing of 6.
Conceding fewer shots means less chance of the opposition scoring. Felt like Michael Owen there 😐.
In terms of the shots taken for United, that has also gone down compared to the first four games of last season. In 23/24, we took an average of 16.25 while this season's four matches have seen an average of 13.25, a difference of 3.
However, Erik ten Hag's team is the side to have missed the most big chances in the league with 12. It's not a great stat but at least we're creating them opportunities and getting into the right positions.
It wasn't in the league but Tuesday's 7-0 victory would've done this team a lot of good when it comes to improving the scoring.
Other aspects of our game that have improved and that needs to be seen again on Saturday is how well we keep the ball (average possession of 54.25% this season), the high turnovers, the quick regain of possession, not shooting from stupid positions and being patient in attack.
Do these again and I don't see why we can't get the win.
MUFC are 10th in the table with two wins and two losses from four games with a GD of 0 thanks to last week's 3-0 win. We need to improve that as well.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles aren't flying high so far this season. But the last time we played away to a club with a bird nickname (Brighton - The Seagulls), we lost. The last time we faced Palace, we lost.
So there's hope.
Oliver Glasner's side will need drastic improvement though, as they lie 16th with 2 points from their four. Just the two draws to their name with a goal difference of -3. They've scored just the 4 while conceding 7 which is the joint third-most in the league thus far.
After losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, replacing a player like him appears to have been difficult for Palace as there has been no standout player for them after four games.
Even Joachim Anderson has departed the club, a player who was a stalwart defender for The Eagles.
They still do have some good players like Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta, ex-Arsenal man Eddie Nketiah (who scored a late winner against us in 22/23) and ex-Red Dean Henderson.
With all the onus on United, that could perhaps be a good thing for Palace.
Recent Meetings
Palace actually did the double over United last year with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford and a 4-0 win at home. In fact, over the last ten matches, Palace have won five with two draws and MUFC winning the other three.
The Eagles have become a bit of a bogey side for us over the years.
We've also only won one of our last five trips to Selhurst Park which came back in 2020. We also know that Erik ten Hag's away record is pretty poor as he's won 17 and lost 17, a record of 50%.
Not good at all 😬.
Prediction
I am going for a 2-0 United win. With Palace being in a difficult state and United on the up with a lot of our players on form, I can't see us not getting at least a positive result from this game.
I wouldn't be surprised if we did lose because you know we are capable of that.
But this really is a defining game for this United side. It is the first true test post the international break and if we want to be taken seriously, these are the games that we need to go and dominate and win.
Can we do it?
Background Image of player: Marcus Rashford celebrates goal against Barnsley | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)