Erik ten Hag faces a number of selection dilemmas as Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace.
Following an epic 2-1 comeback victory over Manchester City, the Red Devils visit Selhurst Park in a bid to extend their eight-game winning run and move up into third place in the Premier League table. Ten Hag, credited for kick-starting a revival at Old Trafford, has the chance to hand new signing Wout Weghorst his debut after confirming his arrival on a half-season loan from second-tier Burnley.
United effectively paid Turkish giants Besiktas, where the 30-year-old striker spent the first half of the campaign, a cool £2.6million in order to cut that deal short and give Ten Hag another dimension in his attack. Speaking of additional options, Jadon Sancho is back in full training after completing a two-month individual training programme, but he isn't likely to feature in his native south London.
A downside that Ten Hag will definitely have to deal with, however, is the fact midfield duo Casemiro and Fred are each one game away from serving a suspension. The Brazilians have received four yellow cards apiece in the Red Devils' first 18 league games and would be banned for Sunday's mouth-watering clash away to league-leaders Arsenal should they pick up another at Selhurst Park.
Palace are also approaching the halfway stage of their so-far disappointing season, with manager Patrick Vieira not enjoying a home win since October 29. To end that miserable run, the Eagles will have to beat David de Gea in the United goal, who's set to start behind a rearguard of Palace academy graduate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Lisandro Martinez could return at centre-back if Ten Hag prefers to shift Shaw to his natural position on the left instead of Malacia. Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, will keep his place in the absence of fellow right-back Diogo Dalot, who's sidelined with an injury.
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Midfield is where it gets tricky for Ten Hag, with one or even both of Casemiro and Fred likely to get the nod thanks to their good form. Casemiro has been the Red Devils' linchpin this term, often partnering Christian Eriksen in the centre, although reported Newcastle transfer target Scott McTominay will be hoping for a start if Ten Hag decides not to risk the former Real Madrid star.
Bruno Fernandes should captain the side following his goal in last Saturday's derby triumph, during which striker Anthony Marital was hauled off, despite passing a late fitness test. That means Weghorst could well make his debut from the off, with Antony and Marcus Rashford flanking him - unless the exciting Alejandro Garnacho is preferred and Rashford plays in the No.9 role.
Speaking on Saturday, Ten Hag was coy on his new signing's chances of starting, admitting: "I have to think that over. First, settle down this game and make the right conclusions. Then we will make a clear plan. I have to see [for] Palace."
Vieira, on the other hand, is sweating on the availability of centre-back Joachim Andersen, having also tipped United to be title challengers this season. "When you look at the last couple of games they have played, the number of wins they have and how close they are to the top, I think they will be [contenders for the title]," the Eagles boss declared.
"It's a different United to last season, but what will be important for us is to play like we did Sunday [in a 1-0 loss to Chelsea ], with a lot of intensity and discipline. At home, in front of our fans, if we play like Sunday, then we have more chance to win this game. We'll keep working, keep believing in ourselves. The chances are there. I want my players to be more ruthless inside the box and to take those chances."
