We needed those 3 points on Monday night. After slipping against West Ham and letting both Chelsea and Liverpool sniff around our top-four spot, anything less at Everton would’ve felt like the beginning of a wobble.
Instead, we got the job done.
Relief? Yes. Comfort? Not quite.
Because now it’s Palace at home — and recently, that fixture has felt less like routine and more like a warning sign flashing on the dashboard.
Forget “bogey team.” Palace genuinely have our number 😬.
The only encouragement? This isn’t the same confident Eagles side. They’ve lost key players over the past year, confidence looks thin, and Oliver Glasner — ironically linked with the United job — may not even be there much longer.
And yet… I’m still uneasy.
Even wounded teams can hurt you. Especially when history tells you they usually do.
I’m expecting another tense one.
Predicted Lineup
Carrick has mostly lived by one rule: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
When injuries forced his hand, he adjusted. Dorgu out, Cunha in. Martinez missing? Yoro took his place.
But outside of necessity, he’s stayed loyal to his core.
So this is basically his default XI.
Martinez is reportedly back from his calf issue and could return. If not, Yoro showed against Everton that he’s more than capable alongside Maguire.
The real debate though? Sesko.
He’s scored 3 in his last five appearances — two winners and a late equaliser. Every cameo feels like a statement. We’ve all been calling for him to start.
As I’ve predicted him to be in the XI in the last two matches, Carrick ignored me.
So this time, I’ve done the opposite.
Do I want him to start? Absolutely. Does he deserve it? Definitely. But it’s hard to argue with the impact-sub formula when it’s delivering.
If he does come in, Amad is the one who makes way for me. Of the front four, he’s dipped the most recently — and that’s a bigger conversation on its own.
Approach: Brave or Boring?
We cannot play the pragmatic game at Old Trafford.
Away from home, fine. Manage it. Control it. Nick it.
But at home? Sitting in, soaking pressure, waiting for moments? That’s a dangerous game. And honestly — it’s dull.
The problem is, I’m not entirely sure Carrick sees it that way.
So far, this version of United has thrived on structure and transition. We defend. We wait. We break.
Look at Everton.
They had 10 corners to our 1.
They had momentum for most of the second half.
Lammens was busy. Very busy.
And then — bang. Sesko. Counter-attack. Game over.
Clinical? Yes. Convincing? Not really.
It worked. But I don’t want to sit through another 90 minutes of that type of snooze fest at Old Trafford.
Selection will tell us everything.
If he goes false nine, expect patience and counter-attacks.
If he starts a traditional striker, that suggests more territory: crosses, long balls, sustained pressure, and then the break when it opens up.
You’ve seen Sesko’s pace ⚡. That’s a weapon either way.
But here’s the catch: Palace are dangerous on the break too.
That’s why I’d start Yoro regardless of Martinez’s fitness. His recovery speed removes that panic when someone spins in behind. I like sleeping peacefully.
Do I think Carrick changes anything? Honestly… no.
Same team. Same shape. Same logic.
And to be fair — he might get the same result.
I just worry that eventually someone exposes it. I don’t think it happens Sunday, but that question is hovering.
Form: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s the uncomfortable truth for anyone doubting Carrick: He doesn’t lose.
Across both interim spells:
- 9 games
- 7 wins
- 2 draws
- 0 defeats
That’s not a purple patch. That’s control.
This current run however, has seen him take 16 points from 18 since replacing Darren Fletcher. United are top of the table in that time with 12 scored, 5 conceded and three clean sheets.
Before this run, we had just two shut outs in 21 matches.
That’s transformation.
And as for Sesko, he is in ridiculous form.
3 goals in five appearances as a substitute under Carrick. That's 31 minutes per goal.
He really deserves to be starting.
As all of these have come as that impact sub though, I find that this could be a reason for Carrick to keep it that way.
In the table, we’re 4th. 3 points off Villa in 3rd as well as a 3-point gap to Chelsea and Liverpool 5th and 6th.
This isn’t cruise control. It’s tight.
At home, we’ve scored 25 — only Arsenal and City have more, but we’ve conceded 15, which is high for a top-four side.
We need to sort that shit out!
The good news? Only two home defeats all season.
The bad news? Palace love this fixture.
They went four straight games unbeaten against us recently. Four clean sheets in that run too, and they did the double over us in 23/24.
In the last 11 league meetings:
Three United wins. Three draws. Five Palace victories including three at Old Trafford.
Bruh 🥴.
Crystal Palace: Dangerous Despite the Mess
They’re 13th. Which feels low. But is it?
European football stretched them, and their squad depth got exposed. Key players sold, captain Marc Guehi gone, Mateta nearly gone and Glasner potentially moving on as well.
There is also much friction between the manager and board. We know that script.
Still, their away form is solid — 8th in the away table with 20 points. Better travellers than hosts.
But they played on Thursday night in the Conference League.
Last time that happened? They faded badly in the second half against us. With United having a full week to prepare, fatigue could show again.
But don’t expect them to change.
- They’ll sit.
- They’ll frustrate.
- They’ll break.
They average just 45% possession which one of the lowest in the league. That could mean that this might become a waiting game.
The question is simple:
Are we brave enough to take control?
Or are we comfortable letting it come to us again?
Because one approach excites Old Trafford.
The other just gets you through the night.
Prediction
Tbh, whilst there is a bit of unease given the recent history and you know, not being able to fully trust this team, I do think with the momentum, confidence and pure good vibes, we should be fine on Sunday.
Palace playing Thursday night gives me reassurance that United will be on top.
I'm going for a 2-0 win.
I don't think it will be as comfortable as that score line might suggest, but nor do I think we'll have too many issues.
Luke Shaw | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)
Old Trafford | Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images - Manchester Evening News
Maxence Lacroix | Image via Crystal Palace official X (@CPFC)