Manu vs Crystal Palace

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2004/2005

English League Cup Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace 10-11-2004

1997/1998

English Premier Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester United 27-04-1998
English Premier Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace 04-10-1997

1994/1995

English FA Cup Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United 12-04-1995
English FA Cup Manchester United 2-2 Crystal Palace 09-04-1995
English Premier Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United 25-01-1995
English Premier Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace 19-11-1994

1992/1993

English Premier Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United 21-04-1993
English Premier Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace 02-09-1992

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Man Utd vs C Palace preview

Manchester United have injury concerns in attack ahead of Crystal Palace's visit to Old Trafford, live on Prem Plus.

The Red devils' expensively assembled four-pronged strike-force could be reduced to just one member in the worst case scenario for manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Louis Saha, who scored in the Carling Cup victory over Palace last month, is definitely out with an ankle injury.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is undergoing a scan on Friday on his troublesome calf complaint and is rated doubtful for the teatime tussle.

Ferguson also has concerns over the fitness of Alan Smith who picked up a knock to his foot during Monday's 1-1 draw at Fulham.

That could leave Ferguson with just Wayne Rooney as a striking option and it would be interesting to see if the England ace is allowed to lead the line against Palace.

Kleberson is also missing with an ankle injury, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze are reportedly on a mid-season sabbatical.

Heinze's absence, although it could be delayed until next week, would open the door for John O'Shea, while the likes of Darren Fletcher, Liam Miller and David Bellion will be hoping for a chance with Ronaldo back in Portugal.

Palace, like United, will ring the changes from the team which was beaten at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Iain Dowie's selection problems are not as severe as his opposite number, with Wayne Andrews aiming to shake off a flu bug.

Tommy Black is definitely missing with a broken leg, along with Nicola Ventola, but Gonzalo Sorondo could return to the squad after a hamstring injury.

The Eagles' sole victory away from home in The Premiership this season was at Birmingham, when Andy Johnson's breakaway goal settled the match.

Dowie is likely to again deploy Johnson as a lone striker, with Palace operating with a five-man midfield designed to frustrate the hosts.

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Team news

Manchester United will send Ruud van Nistelrooy for a scan on the calf problem that continues to sideline him.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze have been given a break by Sir Alex Ferguson while Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea return to the squad.

Crystal Palace are hoping striker Wayne Andrews will shrug off a flu bug.

Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Sorondo came through a reserve run-out and will return from a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury.

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Probable Line Ups

Man Utd (from): Carroll, Howard, G Neville, P Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fortune, Brown, Bellion, Keane, Scholes, Djemba-Djemba, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Smith.

Crystal Palace (from): Kiraly, Speroni, Boyce, Hall, Popovic, Granville, Leigertwood, Sorondo, Routledge, Torghelle, Riihilahti, Andrews, Watson, Hughes, Kolkka, Lakis, Johnson.

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BIG-MATCH FACTS

MANCHESTER UNITED are unlikely to feel too generous to the less well off this Christmas, when fourth bottom Crystal Palace visit the Red devils, who are fourth top. Indeed, while victory will see Sir Alex Ferguson take closer order on the top three, they cannot climb any higher before the festive break. Going into this game United have won exactly 300 matches and scored 950 goals in Premier League history.

The eight times champions were on course for a fifth successive Premiership victory when Pape Bouba Diop equalised for Fulham with three minutes remaining at Craven Cottage on Monday. But United have only been beaten once in the League since their opening fixture. They've undefeated in any competition at home, have gone six Premiership matches without a loss and have picked up 14 points from the last 18 available, rising from seventh in early November to a top four berth now. However they're still nine points off the pace, and four points behind champions Arsenal.

United have only dropped two points in six Premiership meetings with Crystal Palace. They have won three times as many League games as they have lost against the south London club (18 to six), and hold a 100% home Premiership record against them.

CRYSTAL PALACE have been slipping steadily while United have been moving in the opposite direction. Indeed the form of Iain Dowie's side is the antithesis of the Red devils. The Eagles have not won in six Premiership games, claiming just three points from the 18.

The Londoners visit the Theatre of Dreams hovering above the drop zone on goal difference. They've won just three Premiership matches under Dowie, and finished all square five times. Another draw here will bring their all-time total of top flight stalemates to 150.

The Eagles have lost all five previous League visits to Old Trafford without scoring a single goal. They have only won twice in 15 visists in their entire history. The most recent of those was 1-2 in the top flight on 9 December 1989.

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SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

MANCHESTER UNITED

4th 31 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's games: 4th
Lowest could fall: 5th

Unbeaten in six Premiership matches.
Won four and drawn two in the top flight since losing 2-0 at Portsmouth on 30 October.
Kept clean sheets in three of the last four victories.
This will be United's 30th League and Cup game this season - more than any other top flight club.
Lost just twice in the top division so far this season. Chelsea are the only club to have been beaten no more than once.
Conceded 11 Premiership goals. Chelsea are the sole club to have shipped fewer (eight).
Kept eight clean sheets in the highest League (winning five, drawing three). Only Chelsea have managed more shut-outs (11).
Conceded the opening goal in four games. Only Chelsea have allowed the opposition to score less often in top flight encounters (three matches).
Won exactly 300 matches in Premier League history, and scored 950 goals. No club can beat either of those achievements.
Involved in as many as three goalless draws in the League this season. Only Norwich and Southampton match that.
Second in the Premiership's Last Six Current Form table with 14 points from a possible 18, trailing only Chelsea (on goal difference).
Built the joint longest unbeaten sequence in the top flight this term of nine games (matching Arsenal's).
Bagged 43 points after the first 18 matches when eventually finishing third last season, and secured 35 points after 18 matches in the last season crowned champions in 2002/03.

Won the last five League and Cup matches at Old Trafford.
Yet to be beaten in any competition at the Theatre of Dreams this season (11 wins, three draws).
Won the last two home League games.
Won five and drawn three of their eight Premiership contests in front of the home fans.
Not conceded in four successive home top flight engagements or 417 minutes (six hours 57 minutes) of Premiership football at Old Trafford.

CRYSTAL PALACE

17th 14 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's games: 15th
Lowest could fall: 19th

Winless in seven League and Cup games (drawn two, lost five).
Pressing for a first win in seven Premiership matches.
Drawn three and lost three in the top flight, since beating Birmingham 0-1 away on 30 October.
Not scored in two matches, or 216 minutes (three hours 36 minutes) of Premiership football.
The no score draw, home to Blackburn, last time out was Palace's only goalless stalemate of the season so far.
Suffered nine Premiership defeats so far this season. Fulham and West Brom are the only other clubs to also have been beaten nine times.
Gone in at half time all square in 11 of their 17 top flight encounters, and leading in only two.
Third bottom in the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with three points from a possible 18. Only Bolton and West Brom are beneath them with two points each.
The current tally of 14 points after 17 games, is two points better than their lowest ever tally to this identical stage in a Premiership season, in 1992/93. In that initial campaign Palace managed 15 points after 18 matches.

Won only once on the road in the Premiership.
Scored two goals in each of the last two away top flight matches.
Failed to score just once in the League away from Selhurst Park.
Kept only one clean sheet on their Premiership travels (at Birmingham).

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KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ruud VAN NISTELROOY is the second highest scorer amongst Premiership players this season with 12 goals, six behind Arsenal's Thierry HENRY. Only four of the Dutchman's goals have been in the League and only one of those from open play - the other three were penalties.
Roy KEANE needs one goal to total 50 for Manchester United.
If he plays, Darren FLETCHER will be making his 50th appearance for Manchester United.
If he lines-up for the kick off, Ryan GIGGS will be making his 550th start for the Red devils.
If he figures, Phil NEVILLE will be making his 250th Premiership appearance - all for the Red devils.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Andy JOHNSON is still the highest scoring English born player in the Premiership with nine goals - six behind Thierry HENRY of Arsenal.
JOHNSON is a hat trick short of 50 League goals for Palace, and is within six goals of Chris Armstrong's seasonal Premiership record for Palace, set in 1992/93.
Should he run out, JOHNSON will be making his 100th appearance Crystal Palace.
Joonas KOLKKA is one short of 50 career League goals across Europe. He's scored 17 for MyPa in Finland, 16 for Willem II in Holland, 10 for PSV, three for Panathinaikos, two for Borussia Monchengladbach, and one for Palace.
If he participates, Fitz HALL will be playing two days before his 24th birthday.
If on the field at kick off, Dougie FREEDMAN will be making his 100th League start for the Eagles.
If he plays, Neil SHIPPERLEY will be making his 150th Premiership
appearance.

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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS

League: Man United 18 wins, Palace 6, Draws 6
Prem: Man United 5 wins, Palace 0, Draws 1

HEAD TO HEAD at Man United

League: Man United 11 wins, Palace 2, Draws 2
Prem: Man United 3 wins, Palace 0, Draws 0

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Prem Preview : Man United-Crystal Palace

Saturdays evening clash sees Crystal Palace travel to Manchester to take on the rejuvenated Man United

BACKGROUND

So Milan lie in wait in a mouth watering second round clash in the Champions League. But Fergies success has not been built on whimsical dreams of coming encounters. Uniteds ability to see off the smaller teams has always been their hallmark and a driving force behind their success. Their inability to do this in recent times, particularly on Monday night against Fulham has seen their aura eroded somewhat. So a return to their roots in very much the order of the day on Saturday.

Crystal Palace will travel in hope but not without a little expectation. Their Carling Cup defeat at the same ground earlier this season will have no baring, that was reserves against reserves. This is something entirely different.

Palace have begun to stutter, but have shown already that they can match it with the bigger teams. A narrow loss to Chelsea and a creditable draw with Arsenal have displayed their fighting spirit, but those both came at home. This is their first away day at one of the big three, and coming before the television cameras, could be an important psychological moment of the season.

Christmas with its abundance of games is very close now. So a heavy defeat now gives a team little chance to recover before the festive programme that can make or break a season.

Dowie, one of the brightest managers in the game, is about to be tested. He will need to rise to the challenge, drain every last drop of energy, of fight from his team and send them out on to the field of play.

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CURRENT FORM :

Man United : WWWWLD
Fulhams equaliser minutes from time summed up Uniteds season. Their inability to see the smaller clubs off while completely outplaying them is plaguing their progress and keeping them off the pace. It needs to change, it needs to change now.

Crystal Palace : LWLDLD
Creditable performances are all well and good but the promoted teams need to have found their feet by this stage, and will need to make progress. Palace cannot afford their slump to continue much longer and need to garner some wins.

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TEAM NEWS:

Man United : Van Nistelrooys hit and miss season continues as his injury absence goes on. Heinze and Ronaldo are being given a Christmas break and could be replaced by Fortune and Fletcher. Rooney and Smith are the only forward options, with Sahas familiarity with the medical staff growing by the week.

Crystal Palace : Sorondo is available after a hamstring injury but will make the bench only. Wayne Andrews is battling a bout of flu and could be available if Dowie needs him.

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PLAYER TO WATCH:

Man United : Darren Fletcher
Hailed as the future of the United midfield Fletcher has not made the side on a consistent basis this campaign. Ferguson has accused his fellow Scot of being a slow starter, which is strange given the level of pre season preparation these days. Could well provide the legs in a central midfield with Keane and Giggs. His future is certainly bright and his role on Saturday important.

Crystal Palace : Gabor Kiraly
The keeper in pyjamas is rapidly becoming a fans favourite up and down the country. While a dearth of high quality goalkeepers afflicts the Premiership, Kiralys eccentricities as well as his basic goalkeeping ability make him a pleasant sight, as well as a vital part in Palaces survival bid.

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Fergie Admits To Fulham Hammer Blow

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Fulhams late goal on Monday night was a crushing blow to Uniteds title hopes but has been pleased by his players subsequent reaction.

Pape Bouba Diops 87th-minute strike scuppered Uniteds chances of closing the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Premiership to seven points, and was a hammer blow for Ferguson.

Monday night I still cant get over it, he told Manchester United Radio. "It was one of these gutting experiences that you hope you dont get very often. But when you do get it, it lasts for a long time.

"The only thing I can console myself with is that we played so well and made so many chances that there is nothing wrong with the form. But to lose that goal right at the death was a real kick in the teeth to us.

However, the midweek reaction from his players has been one of responsibility, a sign that has given Ferguson hope.

"I dont think it will affect our confidence, but it can affect the result of the league and the players know that.

"I wasnt at training on Wednesday, but Carlos Queiroz told me there was a deep sense of disappointment running right through the team. I think they all felt responsible. And thats not a bad thing.

"If you see that reaction, it is good. Too often in the game these days, too many players abstain from responsibility; their patch is clear. But Carlos was telling me that there was a deep sense of responsibility among all the players.

"It will only be proved in the next few weeks if the players have that determination to put it right."

Fergusons right-hand man has seen at close hand the mood among Uniteds players, and says there is a mental toughness among the squad that can carry the team through a hectic festive schedule that sees the Reds play a game every three days.

"The schedule is tough, but so are we," he said. "We are well prepared going into the New Year. We have a very difficult schedule coming up. But we have everything under control the preparation is fantastic.

"The best teams will take advantage from this period; we believe we can do that."

And the Reds assistant refuses to see the draw at Craven Cottage, which leaves United nine points adrift of Chelsea, as a backwards step.

"I wouldn't say it was a step back," Carlos added. "I would say that we feel disappointed and frustrated, especially because we believe we performed well.

"The players did the right things most of the time. But there are things in football you cannot control - like luck.

"I feel more comfortable if we play well, create opportunities but drop points once in a while, than doing the opposite: not performing and winning games 1-0.

"We have to believe we are doing the right things. We have to believe that, if we perform against other teams like we did against Fulham, we will score three or four goals.

"We just have to be cool, rational and take the right approach. We are not perfect. We cannot say that our performances are always perfect. But we were happy with how we performed against Fulham."

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Reds Enter Crucial Festive Period

The next couple of weeks could well prove crucial as United continue their pursuit of the teams currently above them in the Premiership table.

The rush of games over the Christmas holiday has always been a testing time of the season and this year its going to be even more important that usual for United.

Success in all four of those fixtures, Crystal Palace, Bolton Wanderers (both home), Aston Villa and Middlesbrough (both away) would surely thrust United right back into the maelstrom of the title.

That, needless to say, is a good deal easier said than done considering that all of the above mentioned teams are more than capable of giving any team a run for their money. Furthermore, they are all managed by one of the games new breed of young, and already hugely respected, managers.

McClaren, Allardyce, OLeary and Dowie may not have the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Reds boss would be the first to acknowledge that any side selected and sent out by all of those named demands respect.

Iain Dowies Palace havent exactly set the Premiership alight since they graduated from the first division in the summer, but they are nevertheless a team that is always capable of springing a shock result.

Having said that, their away record to date doesnt really add weight to the assumption that they are going to cause a major surprise at Old Trafford.

To date they have completed eight away Premiership fixtures winning just the one against Steve Bruces Birmingham City. Three others (Norwich City, Aston Villa and Southampton) ended with the points being shared but the came away from Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool empty-handed.

The Eagles are currently hovering just above the feared drop-zone in the table, so victories from now on are the order of the day for Dowies men.

They were, of course, at Old Trafford on Carling Cup duty a few weeks ago, but that contest, which United won comfortably 2-0, cannot be used as any kind of guide ahead of this latest meeting between the clubs.

Both sides were well below their full strength that night in what turned out to be a pretty painless passage through to that last eight for United.

Both United and Palace, for vastly contrasting reasons, are in desperate need of the points on offer this weekend. United to kick-start their assault on the top places following the blip at Fulham last Monday and Palace to ease the anxiety of their lowly position as the holiday rush kicks in.

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Man Utd vs Crystal Palace

Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to write Ruud van Nistelrooy out of Manchester United's Premiership title push for the next two months to ensure he is ready for their assault on Europe.

Van Nistelrooy has been sent for a scan on the calf problem which first surfaced six weeks ago and has kept the Dutch striker sidelined for the last five games.

Despite the rest, Ferguson is no nearer learning the extent of the injury and is fearful of causing further damage which may affect Van Nistelrooy's Achilles.

And though his side's title ambitions are hanging by a thread following Monday's 1-1 draw at Fulham, Ferguson is looking towards the mouth-watering Champions League clash with six-time champions AC Milan in February as the time he really wants Van Nistelrooy available.

"Ruud's injury has not cleared up," admitted Ferguson. "There is a bit of concern because he is the best striker in the business and we want him back, particularly with the European campaign coming.

"Hopefully, we will have a better idea once he has seen the specialist because at the moment we just don't know and that is concerning."

With Van Nistelrooy in the side this season, United have won seven of their nine Premiership matches. Without him their record is just two wins from eight.

The 28-year-old's contribution in Europe is even more startling, with 36 goals in 37 European appearances.

But, while his presence will be required if United are to stand any chance of finding a way past Jaap Stam and Paulo Maldini, Ferguson is more than happy to let seven-goal Alan Smith lead the line against Crystal Palace.

Ferguson was thrilled by Smith's effort at Craven Cottage, including the tackle on Sylvain Legwinski which set up his goal.

And although the former Leeds man has picked up a foot injury in training, he should be fit to face Iain Dowie's men.

"Alan has been a real hero for us," said Ferguson. "Only the old fashioned type of forward gets that kind of goal. Forwards like Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo can manufacture goals by beating men - but there are very few who can create one with a tackle like that.

"I can't be speak more highly of him for what he has done and he won't be phased by having to lead the line."

With Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo handed a long-awaited break, Ferguson is committed to making changes, with John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher favourites to fill the vacancies. Kleberson (ankle) and Louis Saha (knee) are definitely out.

Dowie accepts his Crystal Palace players must show United the "ultimate respect," but maintains they will not be in awe of their star-studded opponents.

For Eagles fans, trips to such venues as Old Trafford are what they have been dreaming about since their six-year exile from the top flight came to an end last season.

However, with his side now struggling to keep out of the relegation zone following a winless run of six Barclays Premiership matches, Dowie is determined to keep the players focused on getting what would be an unlikely positive result rather than just enjoying the occasion.

"What you have got to do is pay people the ultimate respect," the Palace manager said.

"We hope at our football club we are a very respectful team - we won't be talking out of turn about other teams or managers, that is not what we do.

"In the end, it is 11 against 11. They are individuals, people - whether they are better than us at football is for other people to judge."

Dowie may stick with a lone striker role for Andy Johnson and pack the midfield, despite Palace having drawn blanks in their last two outings.

Wayne Andrews, though, is one attacking option open to Dowie having shrugged off the flu following an impressive debut against Blackburn

With the games coming thick-and-fast over the next two weeks, Dowie admits being able to keep out of the relegation zone come the turn of the year would give everyone at the club a lift.

He reflected: "It is an important boost. We need to push on, we have got to make sure that whatever curve ball the season throws us, we are able to deal with that."

Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Sorondo came through his run-out for the second string unscathed and is likely to be in the squad following a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury.

Tommy Black, however, is set for several weeks on the sidelines after breaking his leg during a reserve game against Arsenal.

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Manu -1 1/2 Very Happy

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FT 3-0

Congrats all followers Very Happy

I-like-flings(m) SG

Originally posted by PJ_Quek:

[b]FT 3-0

Congrats all followers Very Happy [/b]

3-0??? which yr match u watching??? or i"m on the wrong planet?? not 5-2 meh?

PJ_Quek SG

sorry, post wrong score...