Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace Prediction: In-form Red Devils Back in Action

• Manchester United have been transformed under Michael Carrick

• Crystal Palace are probably safe from the threat of relegation 

• Manchester United are in a good position as business end approaches

Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace Odds

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My +360 Pick for Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace 

Go for a draw at half-time and a Manchester United win at full-time. Crystal Palace can hold their own for half of Sunday’s match, but they are likely to leave Old Trafford empty-handed.

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Manchester United Target Champions League Qualification 

What a difference a new manager can make. Manchester United were going nowhere fast under Ruben Amorim, who was finally put out of his misery in January. After a brief spell in charge for Darren Fletcher, in came Michael Carrick. His only prior managerial experience came in an unremarkable spell in charge of Championship side Middlesbrough. Yet Carrick looks like he has coached at the highest level for years.

The difference between Amorim’s United and Carrick's United is so vast as to make chalk and cheese look like siblings. The 3-4-2-1 formation is out, with Carrick moving to a 4-2-3-1 system which is much better suited to the players at his disposal. The impact has been immediate: United have collected 16 points from a possible 18 under the guidance of their former midfielder.

Their latest success came against Everton on Monday. It was by no means a perfect performance from United, but they kept things reasonably tight at the back and saw Benjamin Sesko make himself the hero once again, the Slovenian coming off the bench to score the winner in the second half at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

United are now in a fantastic position to qualify for the Champions League. The job is not done yet and they will struggle to maintain this sort of form for the remainder of the campaign, but the Red Devils head into the weekend in fourth place. They are only three points clear of Liverpool in sixth, but the same margin separates United from Aston Villa in third.

Carrick's team could benefit from the fact that, unlike Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea, they only have one competition to focus on. Out of the domestic cups and absent from Europe this term, United will have plenty of time to prepare for every Premier League fixture between now and the end of May.

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Crystal Palace Focused on Europe Before End of This Chapter

Crystal Palace are not yet mathematically safe from the threat of relegation to the Championship, but they are not far away from realizing what is always their first objective at the start of any season. Last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers moved Oliver Glasner’s side 10 points clear of the dreaded dotted line.

Essentially securing survival by the start of March will allow Palace to dedicate most of their focus to Europe. The Eagles are in the Conference League, the continent’s third-ranked tournament. They advanced to the round of 16 on Thursday, eliminating Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia & Herzegovina in the knockout phase play-offs.

This could still be a glorious season for Palace. They won the FA Cup last May for the club's first ever piece of silverware. They followed that up with a Community Shield triumph in August. Now Palace are eyeing another trophy in the form of the Conference League.

Yet Selhurst Park has not been an entirely happy place of late. Palace fans have not taken kindly to Glasner's recent behavior. First, he needlessly announced in January that he would leave the club at the end of the season. Then he was openly critical of the club's board. Worst of all, he called on Palace supporters to “stay humble” before the Wolves game.

That has led to a tense atmosphere around Palace of late, but results have picked up of late. The Eagles have lost only one of their last six matches in all competitions ahead of this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford, a ground they won at last term. Palace need to recapture the spirit that made them such a force in 2024/25.

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Another Victory Beckons for Manchester United on Sunday

Manchester United have the bit between their teeth right now, but Crystal Palace are potentially awkward opponents for Carrick’s side. Palace are at their best when they have less of the ball, so they will be happy to give up possession on Sunday. But United have not always looked overly convincing when they are forced to play on the front foot.

However, United have had three extra days to prepare for this encounter and that should stand them in good stead. It is not only that their players have had more rest in between games than Palace. But Carrick and his coaching staff have also had more time to work on a game plan than Glasner and his colleagues.

United are the form team in the Premier League at the moment and we expect them to come out on top in front of their own supporters, as the Red Devils aim to keep the heat on Aston Villa above them.

But do not be surprised if United are frustrated early on. Palace generally start games well, especially on their travels. Only Manchester City and Arsenal have better first-half records away from home than Palace.

The Eagles can hold United in the opening period, but perhaps not for 90 minutes. Go for a draw at half-time and a home victory at full-time.

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How to Watch Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

• Teams: Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

• Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

• Date and Time: Sunday 1st March, 9:00AM ET

• How to Watch: Peacock Premium