Lisandro Martinez could return for Man Utd against Crystal Palace (Image: PA)
Manchester United have benefited from the lack of European commitments this season, taking on rivals grappling with packed fixture lists. United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off). Whilst Michael Carrick has had nearly a full week to ready his squad, the Eagles were involved in UEFA Conference League fixtures on Thursday evening.
The extra preparation time should work in United’s favour, allowing players additional recovery from any minor injuries. It likewise gives those currently sidelined more opportunity to progress their comebacks. The win against Everton did raise one fitness worry: defender Lisandro Martinez missed the fixture with a knock. Full-back Patrick Dorgu will remain unavailable following an injury picked up in the win over Arsenal.
Speaking to MUTV, Carrick said of the duo: “Patrick is a little bit further down the line really, in terms of a number of weeks but he’s progressing well.
“Licha is a lot closer than Patrick is. It will be a matter of days, hopefully, it won’t be too long. We’ll assess him over the next day or two, and see where he is.” Defender Matthijs de Ligt is ruled out against Palace, although he is making strides towards a comeback.
“Matthijs, he’s had a back issue, which has been a little bit slower to progress, really,” Carrick added. “It’s something we’ve been working through, and he’s getting there. He’s in the right direction, but, as I said, he’s just a little bit further behind.
“It’s one of those things that’s disappointing, but it’s just a part of football, unfortunately, so we’ll get him back when we can.”
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Also confined to the treatment room is midfielder Mason Mount, who has missed the last four fixtures through injury. Carrick has indicated he is moving ‘closer’ to fitness, although Saturday’s encounter with the Eagles could come too early for his involvement.
Oliver Glasner confronts a similar selection dilemma at Crystal Palace. Forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta continues his rehabilitation from a knee complaint, with Glasner optimistic about his availability ‘in the next two or three weeks’. Midfielder Jefferson Lerma faces roughly three weeks out with a hamstring issue picked up during the Premier League meeting with Burnley, nearly a fortnight past.
Forward Eddie Nketiah has experienced a setback in his rehabilitation from injury, whilst Cheick Doucoure is also expected to be unavailable.
Palace took to the pitch in midweek as they dispatched Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar in the UEFA Conference League play-off, a fixture which saw defender Maxence Lacroix celebrate his comeback from an adductor injury with a goal. “I don’t know [if he can play twice in three days],” Glasner admitted at his pre-match press conference.
“Hopefully, the goal helps a little bit! He did very well. Right now, it looks OK, but let’s see how the reaction is.”