Michael Carrick wants Manchester United to keep their momentum, though he acknowledges there will not be many personnel changes ahead of facing Crystal Palace.
Carrick is unbeaten since returning to Old Trafford as caretaker manager, winning five and drawing one of his six games in charge so far.
In fact, United are the only team who have not lost in the Premier League since Boxing Day (W6 D4), while no side have won more points than the Red Devils (22) in this period.
They currently sit fourth in the table, with Carrick making few changes to his lineup since stepping into the dugout with United only in one competition, and he highlighted the need for consistency if they want to keep their current run going.
“When there are a lot more games, we have rotation or have to change things physically,” he said.
“There are huge positives with the results we’ve had, playing well and winning games, but a big awareness from me and the staff is how important everyone is in the group.
“Even though it’s the same players, game-to-game, we have tweaked things; some of the front players have changed in different positions. Luke [Shaw] has played in different roles in possession, but there is a feeling of trying to keep the momentum.”
Back home this weekend pic.twitter.com/Sd0oCBOTLe
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 26, 2026
Palace, meanwhile, come into this match having booked their place in the last 16 of the Conference League with a 2-0 second-leg win over Zrinjski on Thursday.
It was Palace’s second win on the bounce in all competitions, having also beaten Wolves last time out in the league to move up to 13th, now 10 points clear of the drop zone.
The Eagles have had good results away to United in recent years, but Oliver Glasner is expecting the Red Devils to provide a tough test.
“Manchester United are on a good run. I watched their game on Monday night at Everton,” Glasner said of Carrick’s side.
“It was a fantastic transition goal [from Benjamin Sesko], and you can see the pace they have in their attack. They are a very good team; they have a very good balance.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Benjamin Sesko
Sesko has netted five goals in six league games for United since the departure of Ruben Amorim, averaging a goal every 37 minutes in this run.
Heading into MD28, no player has more non-penalty goals in the Premier League in 2026 than the Slovenian (five), and he will be hoping his recent substitute performances have earned him a starting role.
Crystal Palace – Dean Henderson
Henderson has three clean sheets in four games against former club United (75%), the best ratio of any goalkeeper in Premier League history against the Red Devils.
The only visiting goalkeeper with a clean sheet in his first two starts at Old Trafford is Fraser Forster (2014-15 and 2015-16 with Southampton).
MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Following their 2-1 win at Selhurst Park in November, United are looking to complete their first league double over Palace since 2017-18.
However, the Eagles have won four of their last six away league games against United (L2), having won just two of their first 22 visits to Old Trafford (D3 L17).
And having won their last two visits, Palace are looking to become just the second London side to win three consecutive away league games against United after Chelsea between 1967-68 and 1969-70.
But United are in strong form, particularly at home. They have picked up 27 points in their last 12 home Premier League matches (W8 D3 L1) – 16 more than they managed in their previous 13 games at Old Trafford (11 – W3 D2 L8).
Palace have won two of their last three Premier League games (L1), but 12 of Crystal Palace’s last 14 away Premier League wins have come against sides starting the day in the bottom half of the league. Against teams in the top half, they have won just two of their last 26 such matches (D8 L16).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 55.7%
Draw – 22.9%
Crystal Palace – 21.4%