Manchester United’s chances of securing a much-needed Premier League win away at a resurgent Crystal Palace may have just become that little bit slimmer.
Because, at his pre-match press conference, the man who masterminded those successive victories over Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle confirmed that two of Palace’s stand-out players are ‘fit’ and ready to go against Erik ten Hag‘s beleaguered outfit.
One of those, interestingly, has been linked with a move to Manchester United over the last few months.
Michael Olise and director Dougie Freedman, it appears, are not the only Palace employees on the radar of the Red Devils.
Manchester United face Crystal Palace test
“It’s very positive news,” Glasner said, confirming the availability of playmaking extraordinaire Ebere Eze and the supposed United target Marc Guehi. “Both of them are fit.
“We started yesterday preparing them for the Man United game. Both trained (on Thursday) in the full session and again today (Friday), so it looks good. If everything continues as we expect, both will be in the squad.”
A Man United side who have not kept a clean sheet in two months – despite the best efforts of the overworked Andre Onana – really could have done without Eze making his return which kept him out of last week’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Eze has been in sublime form under Glasner, and the prospect of an ageing, treacle-treading Casemiro chasing him around the Selhurst Park pitch is the stuff of nightmares.
Guehi, meanwhile, has been out of action since the start of February with a knee issue. The England international – reportedly valued at £55 million and one of many talented young centre-halves on Man United’s wishlist – helped a Roy Hodgson-led Palace side keep Ten Hag’s inconsistent frontline off the scoresheet during the shock 1-0 win at Old Trafford before Christmas.
A potential Red Devils audition for Marc Guehi
“He worked very hard in rehab,” Glasner says of Guehi, who is likely to come up against Rasmus Hojlund on Monday night. “It took maybe one or two weeks longer than we all hoped, but he has such a great working attitude.
“It’s always good when the players are back, and especially when a captain is back, so we’re really looking forward to the last three games.
“I see his working attitude. (Guehi) is outstanding. He’s got a lot of quality but he is also very professional, hard-working, always wanting to improve. He is getting back to the team now with rehab. He is a fantastic player and we will support him as good as we can.
“We hope he plays some good games for us, and especially also for England in the Euros.”
Ten Hag, meanwhile, had some good news himself at his own press conference. Anthony Martial is back in training ahead of what looks certain to be a United swansong for the perma-crocked striker, while Jonny Evans and Scott McTominay may be in contention to feature in South London.
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