Manchester United: How the Reds Can Defeat Crystal Palace on Saturday

After putting in a gritty, defensive performance against Manchester City where they were on the back foot for much of the second half, Manchester United should be looking forward to playing as the favorites against a struggling Crystal Palace.

While the Eagles used disciplined defensive play in last season's late push out of the relegation zone, they look like a far different team this campaign. No longer are Palace a solid defensive team grinding out close wins—they are a team who are respectable going forward but can't defend.

After ten games in EPL action they have conceded 19 goals, a tally only less than Queens Park Rangers, per WhoScored.

United have utilized a conservative 4-1-4-1 recently vs. Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, but against a weaker Palace side, it is time for Louis van Gaal to let his attackers run free.

With an average of 40 percent possession per game, Palace have been the worst team in the EPL at maintaining the ball, as well as distributing it at a league-worst 69.1 percent. 

Additionally, the Eagles have completed a league-worst 240 short passes per game.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

With their lack of passing capabilities, and shoddy defense thus far, United should be looking to heavily possess the ball and attack with numbers. In this matchup, Ander Herrera's attacking prowess should be welcomed back into the lineup, with Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj running rampant whenever United win back possession. 

Whether it be with a diamond formation, or a 4-3-3, United should heavily control this matchup and be able to bag some goals.

With that said, however, any team that attacks voraciously does leave itself a bit vulnerable on the other side of the pitch.

Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha, and Jason Puncheon all average around two dribbles per game and are capable of beating people in space. Puncheon has three assists to his name this campaign, and United loanee Zaha has a goal and an assist in just three starts for the Eagles.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

United, with a makeshift back line that could feature Michael Carrick and Paddy McNair at center half, must not underestimate Palace's attackers and make sure to bring bodies back to defend.

However, with Palace having major shortcomings distributing and keeping the ball, they will likely find it hard to break down and score on United without immense moments of individual skill and creativity.

For this reason, Van Gaal must play an attacking XI that capitalizes on a weak Crystal Palace side.

Score prediction: Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 0

All stats and info via WhoScored.com