If you’d told a Manchester United fan back in August that by mid-January they’d be sitting eighth in the table with a caretaker manager in the dugout, they probably would’ve just sighed and ordered another drink. It’s been that kind of year. The Crystal Palace vs Manchester United match-up used to be a predictable three points for the Red Devils, but honestly, those days are long gone. This fixture has turned into a legitimate barometer for how much "chaos" is currently engulfing Old Trafford.
Right now, it’s a lot.
Ruben Amorim is gone. He’s out. After a "stormy exit" that left the fans reeling, the club has turned to Michael Carrick to steady the ship until June. It's a weird vibe because Carrick isn't officially the "interim" guy—he’s just the guy until the summer. Meanwhile, over at Selhurst Park, Oliver Glasner has just dropped a bombshell of his own. He’s leaving Palace at the end of the season.
He didn't just leak it, either. He told the press he made the decision with Steve Parish back in October. Talk about keeping a secret.
The Glasner-United Link: What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a massive elephant in the room whenever these two teams meet lately. People keep linking Oliver Glasner to the United job. It makes sense on paper. He’s transformed Palace’s style, he plays a 3-4-3 that actually looks modern, and he’s shown he can get results against big teams.
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But is he actually the right fit?
Glasner himself has been incredibly coy about it. He joked in a recent press conference that his contract literally forbids him from betting, so he "can't give insider information" on the next United manager. Classic coach-speak. But with Palace coming off a humiliating FA Cup loss to sixth-tier Macclesfield, the shine on Glasner has dimmed just a little bit. That 1-0 defeat at Moss Rose on January 10 was a disaster. It’s the kind of result that makes a director of football at a club like United pause.
Head-to-Head: A Shift in Power?
If you look at the recent history of Crystal Palace vs Manchester United, the dominance has shifted. Last season, Palace did the double over United, including that 4-0 thumping at Selhurst Park that basically signaled the end of the Ten Hag era.
This season, the first meeting on November 30 was a bit of a survival act for United. Palace took the lead through a Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty, but Joshua Zirkzee finally found the net after a year-long drought. Mason Mount grabbed the winner from a free-kick routine that honestly looked more like a Palace defensive collapse than a moment of United brilliance.
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- November 30, 2025: Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United (Zirkzee, Mount)
- February 2, 2025: Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace (Mateta brace)
- September 21, 2024: Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
United fans might point to that November win as progress, but the stats tell a different story. Palace actually dominated the expected goals ($xG$) in that game. If Mateta hadn't missed a sitter late on, we’d be talking about a very different result.
The Marc Guéhi Factor
You can't talk about Palace right now without talking about Marc Guéhi. As of January 16, 2026, it looks like he’s gone. Reports are flooding in that Manchester City has agreed to a £20m deal for the England center-back.
It’s a bargain, really. He’s out of contract in the summer, so Palace had to take the money or lose him for free. For United, this is a huge relief. Guéhi has been a wall against them for years. Without him, the Palace defense looks vulnerable. Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards are good, but they aren't Guéhi.
Why United Still Struggles at Selhurst Park
- The Atmosphere: Selhurst is loud. It’s tight. The fans are right on top of you. For a United team that often looks mentally fragile, that's a problem.
- The System: Both teams are playing variations of the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Glasner mentioned that United’s work rate has increased since last year, but they still get caught out by wingbacks.
- Injury Woes: United just confirmed that a "key midfield figure" is out until March. While the club hasn't named him in every bulletin yet, the speculation is heavy around the veteran core. They are also waiting on Toby Collyer to return to full fitness.
What Really Happened with the Tactics?
Under Michael Carrick, United has reverted to something a bit more stable, but less "exciting" than what Amorim tried. Amorim’s 3-4-3 was high-intensity, high-risk. It led to some crazy scores—like that 4-4 against Bournemouth in December.
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Carrick is basically trying to stop the bleeding. He wants to tighten up the backline, which has been leaking goals like a sieve. They’ve had one clean sheet in their last 11 games. That’s relegation-level defending for a team with United’s wage bill.
Palace, on the other hand, is struggling with a "marathon season." They’ve already played 34 games across all competitions because of their early European qualifiers and cup runs. Adam Wharton and Daniel Muñoz are clearly gassed. Glasner’s system relies on high energy, and right now, his players look like they’re running on fumes.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you’re watching or betting on the next Crystal Palace vs Manchester United clash, keep an eye on these specific details:
- Watch the Wingbacks: If Daniel Muñoz is back from his knee problem, Palace becomes a different beast. Without him, they have no width.
- The First 15 Minutes: United has a habit of conceding early. If Mateta gets a sniff in the first quarter-hour, the Old Trafford crowd (or the away fans) will turn quickly.
- The "Dead Man Walking" Effect: How do the Palace players react to Glasner leaving? Sometimes it sparks a "play for the next manager" run; sometimes it leads to a complete drop-off.
- Midfield Gaps: Look at Casemiro’s positioning. If he’s left isolated against Adam Wharton, Palace will transition through the middle with ease.
This isn't just another Premier League game. It’s a battle between two clubs in total transition. One is looking for a new identity under a familiar face (Carrick), while the other is preparing for a future without the man who modernized them (Glasner). Basically, expect the unexpected.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official team sheets 60 minutes before kickoff. The return of Leny Yoro to the United lineup or a surprise start for Eddie Nketiah could flip the tactical advantage in seconds. Pay attention to the transfer window updates too—if Palace signs Zakaria El Ouahdi to replace Muñoz before the game, their wingback threat returns instantly.