United have not lost at Selhurst Park since May 1991, and their last defeat there was in the FA Cup fourth round against Wimbledon in 1997. Peter Schmeichel scored one of the great disallowed goals that night.
Because the directors’ box is in the same stand as the dugouts in the main stand, Erik ten Hag will be seated a few rows behind Ralf Rangnick today. On the opposite side, United fans will be in the Arthur Wait Stand.
The outcome of today’s match at Selhurst Park will determine whether United will compete in the Europa League or Conference League next season. United is sixth in the Europa League, while West Ham is seventh (Europa Conference League). West Ham are two points behind United, but their goal difference is significantly superior.
This is how the decision will be made this afternoon:
If United defeats Crystal Palace or West Ham fails to win, they will finish sixth.
If West Ham wins at Brighton and United loses, they will finish sixth.
The Palace squad has arrived, and it appears to be a formidable one. Eze, Zaha, Gallagher, Andersen, and the rest of the usual suspects have just made their way down the stands after entering through the main door. If Ten Hag isn’t already there, he’ll be there shortly.
After that humiliating horror show at Brighton, a 15-day wait for the last game of the season was not what this group needed. They’ve been on the beach for a while, but with this break, the waves are knee-high now after that last expedition, and they can’t wait for it to be finished. Although the presence of Erik ten Hag may sharpen wits, it would not surprise me if United were to lose again.
The weather is more like the first day of the season than the last day. Crystal Palace have had a good season under Patrick Vieira and have the qualities to put United to the test today, especially with Charlie Savage and Shola Shoretire in the United lineup.
Paul Pogba will not be present today and will never be present. On his final appearance at Old Trafford, he cupped his ear to United fans telling him to ‘f–k off,’ and on his final appearance at Anfield, he walked off after 10 minutes with United already trailing 1-0.
This is one of the most exciting final days in Premier League history, and this match is one of eight with a lot on the line today. It is, however, the most understated of the eight. United and West Ham are battling for the final Europa League spot, and Rangnick’s side must match the Hammers’ result, which is now at Brighton. Rangnick wanted to emphasise on Friday that this meant something to United, but the difference between the Europa League and the Conference League is almost meaningless to them. Rangnick mentioned Eintracht Frankfurt as an example of the Europa League’s benefits, but United’s aims are a tad loftier.
On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
This is United’s penultimate game in a disastrous Premier League season, as well as Ralf Rangnick’s final game as interim manager. Erik ten Hag has signed a three-year contract with United and will be in attendance at Selhurst Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, and Jadon Sancho are among the United players who are expected to miss the trip to London, while Alejandro Garnacho is a doubt after missing the majority of first-team training this week due to sickness.