Di Maria Returns: Predicted Man Utd Starting XI to Face Crystal Palace

Manchester United will be looking to end their three-game losing streak and keep their top four finish on track when they travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.  Here’s the starting XI we think Louis van Gaal will go with:

Goalkeeper: David de Gea wasn’t at fault for Chris Brunt’s deflected free kick last weekend so we expect him to keep his place in the starting lineup, ahead of Victor Valdes.

Defence: Antonio Valencia is a permanent fixture at right-back these days.  A groin injury looks to have sidelined Luke Shaw once again, whilst Marcos Rojo has an abdominal injury.  This means we’re expecting Ashley Young to drop back and play where he did at the start of the season.  Phil Jones was an unused substitute last weekend and he is set to return to the starting lineup alongside Chris Smalling on Saturday after missing the last three games since the Manchester derby win.

Midfield: Young moving to left-back opens up a position for Angel Di Maria to start for the first time since the beginning of March.  The rest of the midfield is as you were last weekend, with Michael Carrick and Daley Blind both still absent.  This bunch have not looked great in protecting their defence and they will have been as disappointed not to have scored in either of their last three games either.

Attack: Robin van Persie made his return last weekend, playing the full 90 minutes.  He made a good start before being dropped into midfield to allow van Gaal to push Marouane Fellaini up front with United hitting several unsuccessful long balls and crosses into the box versus a tall West Brom defence.  The Dutch striker should start this one up front and we’ll be surprised if Fellaini gets another chance to take his place this weekend.

Here is how we think United will line-up:

What do you think? What line-up would you like to see start?