Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise
Manchester United host Crystal Palace on Saturday just two weeks after Michael Olise’s dramatic late equaliser nicked a point for the Eagles at Selhurst Park.
The Red Devils played Saturday’s opponents last month and had a night to forget, dropping crucial points in the Premier League‘s top four race while also seeing Casemiro pick up a yellow card which forced him to miss the defeat to Arsenal.
The Brazilian rashly dived into a challenge with Wilfried Zaha after Bruno Fernandes had given Erik ten Hag‘s side the lead, only for Olise to pop up with an incredible last-minute free-kick to split the points.
Now, with Tottenham only three points behind after they put an end to their slump with a win over Fulham last time out, United cannot afford to slip up against Patrick Vieira’s side a second time.
It wasn’t just his stunning late goal that earned Olise Palace’s highest match rating in the previous encounter (Whoscored).
The 21 year-old, playing down United’s left flank up against Luke Shaw, registered more touches of the ball than any of his teammates and created four chances, the joint-highest number of anyone on the pitch along with Fernandes.
Olise’s season totals now sit at 30 chances created, 22 successful dribbles and 23 shots at goal (Whoscored), and there’s no doubt Ten Hag will be having sleepless nights conjuring up how to stop him, with fellow Palace key man Wilfried Zaha missing out through injury.
In truth, the manager may have no choice but to simply trust his full-back to get the job done this time around. Injuries to Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen mean there are few options to inject some extra cover into midfield, while the last thing the boss will want to do is pull Marcus Rashford deeper on the left flank, considering how dangerous the red-hot Englishman currently is going forward.
Shaw has been in inspired form for most of this season, but it’s fair to say the 27 year-old has dipped a little recently, recording some of his worst displays of the campaign in the last three league matches against Arsenal, Palace and Manchester City (Whoscored).
While the probable inclusion of Fred alongside compatriot Casemiro may offer a slightly improved defensive shield in the centre of the park, the onus is going to be on Shaw give his manager something to smile about this time around.