Story perspectives

Manchester United Faces Crystal Palace Amid Injury Woes

3/1/2026

Summary

Carrick Prepares Match

Manchester United will host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday at 2 PM UK time.
Interim manager Michael Carrick faces potential absences, with nine players possibly missing the match.
Michael Carrick confirmed Mason Mount is progressing from injury.
Carrick ruled out Matthijs de Ligt due to a long-term back issue.
Pundits such as Paul Merson predict a comfortable victory for United, citing improved performances and no European distractions.

Summary

Palace Advances Confidently

Crystal Palace defeated Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 to reach the UEFA Conference League last 16, winning 3-1 on aggregate, with Maxence Lacroix opening the scoring via a header and Evann Guessand adding an injury-time goal.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace manager, faced fan unrest and a rocky season, yet highlighted improved performance in breaking down defensive setups.
He acknowledged past missteps in communication and expressed hope for continued success.

History

Historical Context

In 2021, UEFA launched the UEFA Conference League to increase club participation in European football, particularly benefiting lower-ranked teams. This third-tier competition allows clubs like Crystal Palace to compete on a larger stage, as seen in their 3-1 aggregate win over Zrinjski Mostar. The expansion reflects a shift in English football's competitiveness and has significant implications for club revenues and fan engagement.

1 of 3

Carrick Prepares Match

Manchester United will host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday at 2 PM UK time.
Interim manager Michael Carrick faces potential absences, with nine players possibly missing the match.
Michael Carrick confirmed Mason Mount is progressing from injury.
Carrick ruled out Matthijs de Ligt due to a long-term back issue.
Pundits such as Paul Merson predict a comfortable victory for United, citing improved performances and no European distractions.

1 / 3