With Casemiro and Fred both one booking away from missing Sunday’s crunch clash against Arsenal, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes are likely to be guaranteed starters for tonight’s rearranged game versus Crystal Palace.
Erik ten Hag‘s side could move up to second in the Premier League table and six points behind the league leaders Arsenal with a win against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles at Selhurst Park.
Following his appointment, Ten Hag watched the twenty-time league champions lose 1-0 against Vieira’s side in the capital back in May, in what was Ralf Rangnick’s last game in interim charge.
Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen have contrasting records against Crystal Palace
With Casemiro and Fred walking a suspension tightrope ahead of the trip to The Emirates, Ten Hag may consider recalling the likes of Scott McTominay and Antony in place of the Brazilian duo.
But both Fernandes and Eriksen will likely form part of United’s starting line-up, and the playmakers will be hoping to inspire Ten Hag’s side to a tenth consecutive win across all competitions, which hasn’t been achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge in 2009.
However, Eriksen and Fernandes’ individual records against Palace are significantly different.
Eriksen has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three trips to Selhurst Park (one goal, two assists).
United’s number 14 has three goals and four assists from 12 appearances against the Eagles.
Whereas Fernandes is yet to score or lay on an assist in five meetings against the Londoners.
But with United’s number eight coming into the clash with one goal and two assists from his last three top-flight matches, the in-form 28-year-old will be hoping to end his hoodoo against Palace.
Burnley, Sheffield United, Norwich City and Nottingham Forest are the only other sides that Fernandes has failed to register a goal involvement against in the Premier League.
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