Manchester United v Palace

Old Trafford, Saturday 5.15pm

Iain Dowie

Team news

Palace travel to Old Trafford in Sky's 5.15pm Premiership fixture.

"What you have got to do is pay people the ultimate respect," said Dowie. "We hope at our football club we are a very respectful team.

"We respect them, but we'll also focus on the way we play. In the end, they are people. Whether they're better than us is for other people to judge."

He's boosted by the news that defender Gonzalo Sorondo is has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Sandor Torghelle, Dougie Freedman and IVAN KAVIEDES will be battling it out for the striker's position on the bench.

Wayne Andrews is out with flu, Nicola Ventola (ankle), while Tommy Black this week broke his leg.

Three United strikers could be missing for Saturday's Premiership game. Louis Saha will miss out with an ankle injury, Ruud van Nistelrooy (calf) is rated doubtful and Alan Smith has a knock on his foot. Though Alex Ferguson still has Wayne Rooney at his disposal.

Kleberson (ankle injury) is out injured and Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze are said to be on a mid-season break.

Manchester United - league stats

Full league table

Manchester United - current form

Full form table

Our away record v Manchester United

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
10/11/2004	League Cup	Manchester United	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
27/04/1998	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 3	Manchester United
04/10/1997	League	Manchester United	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
12/04/1995	FA Cup	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Manchester United
09/04/1995	FA Cup	Crystal Palace	2 - 2	Manchester United

All time results

One to watch

Rod Van Horsefaceboy

A difficult choice this week, with a Man U team full of stars.

A goal-poacher supreme who given an inch will take a mile. A sniff of a chance in the box and Gabor will be picking the ball out of the onion bag.

Has been criticised heavily in the media, for his ability to hit people in the face with his elbow, but his class can’t be doubted. A Shearer-like centre forward, he knows how to “bend the rules” to his advantage, which will make him a double threat to the Palace defence.

Has struggled to hit form this season but more recently performances have been on the up and is starting to form a partnership with Wayne “shagsyernan” Rooney.

Other players who could prove dangerous to Palace are:

Wayne Rooney. What can we say? Quick, strong and has a natural talent with a ball at his feet. Has the ability to do, what seems like, anything and is starting to form a good partnership with Van Nistelrooy.

Ryan Giggs. Has been around forever and although not as good as he once was, is still a great player who can cut open defences with his mazy, tricky runs, and superb passing ability. Also very dangerous with set pieces.

Finally, England International centre back, Rio Ferdinand. Since returning from his 8 month drugs ban, Rio has settled easily back into the heart of United’s back four. Calm and cool, he’ll dribble out of defence and start an attack for his team. AJ will have his work cut out getting past him too.

Alex Ferguson will expect nothing less of 100% from his team and will be looking to put The Eagles away, easily and quickly – let’s hope this isn’t the case! A difficult choice this week, with a Man U team full of stars.

A goal-poacher supreme who given an inch will take a mile. A sniff of a chance in the box and Gabor will be picking the ball out of the onion bag.

Has been criticised heavily in the media, for his ability to hit people in the face with his elbow, but his class can’t be doubted. A Shearer-like centre forward, he knows how to “bend the rules” to his advantage, which will make him a double threat to the Palace defence.

Has struggled to hit form this season but more recently performances have been on the up and is starting to form a partnership with Wayne “shagsyernan” Rooney.

Other players who could prove dangerous to Palace are:

Wayne Rooney. What can we say? Quick, strong and has a natural talent with a ball at his feet. Has the ability to do, what seems like, anything and is starting to form a good partnership with Van Nistelrooy.

Ryan Giggs. Has been around forever and although not as good as he once was, is still a great player who can cut open defences with his mazy, tricky runs, and superb passing ability. Also very dangerous with set pieces.

Finally, England International centre back, Rio Ferdinand. Since returning from his 8 month drugs ban, Rio has settled easily back into the heart of United’s back four. Calm and cool, he’ll dribble out of defence and start an attack for his team. AJ will have his work cut out getting past him too.

Alex Ferguson will expect nothing less of 100% from his team and will be looking to put The Eagles away, easily and quickly – let’s hope this isn’t the case!

Last meeting

Manchester United 2-0 Palace

Wednesday November 10 2004

Manchester United: Howard, Phil Neville, Brown, O'Shea, Fortune, Kleberson (Spector, 79), Fletcher, Djemba-Djemba, Richardson (Eagles, 79), Bellion (Rossi, 86), Saha

Subs not used: Ricardo, Ngalula

Goals: Saha 22, Richardson 39

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield (Shipperley, 77), Hudson, Powell, Borrowdale, Leigertwood, Soares, Danze (Lakis, 45), Derry, Torghelle (Kaviedes, 69), Freedman

Subs not used: Kiraly, Boyce

Bookings: Hudson

Prediction league

0 members have predicted for this game so far.

Make your prediction on this game

Away travel info

Click here