MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a massive boost with Saturday’s opponents Crystal Palace embroiled in a defensive injury crisis.
The Eagles are facing up to the prospect of being without as many as FIVE defenders for this weekend’s Premier League clash.
Roy Hodgson has a mounting injury crisis at the backCredit: AFP or licensors
Injury analyst Ben Dinnery confirmed Palace’s plight on Twitter.
He tweeted: “Palace are still without the likes of James Tomkins, Gary Cahill, Nathan Ferguson and Patrick van Aanholt.
“Nathaniel Clyne is being tested ahead of him joining the group – Monday is likely to be his first day… Any potential deal would depend on the fitness of Ferguson.”
Former Chelsea centre-back Cahill is still sidelined by a hamstring problem while ex-West Ham ace Tomkins has a thigh issue.
Left-back Van Aanholt is making his way back after surgery on his dislocated shoulder.
New signing Nathan Ferguson arrived from West Brom still nursing the knee injury that scuppered his January move.
The 19-year-old has been partially introduced into first-team training by boss Roy Hodgson but is not yet ready to play.
Former Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne has been training with Palace as he looks to his old club to help resurrect his injury-plagued career.
The 29-year-old is a free agent after leaving the defending champs over the summer.
Hodgson said: “I believe he was coming to be tested today so he could take part in some training with us over next couple of weeks where he is interested to improve his fitness and show us and not only us, perhaps other clubs too, that he is fit and ready to go again.
“We are happy to welcome him back into the fold to give him that opportunity.
“A lot hinges on Nathan Ferguson, the player we have actually brought in to be a right-back at the club and to compete for a place there. A lot will depend on how his injury situation pans out over the next few weeks.
“But it will be very nice to see where Nathaniel is and if there is an opportunity for us to offer him something or if he is interested in us offering him something, then him joining us.”
Palace got off to a flyer in the new Prem campaign as Wilfried Zaha’s winner handed them all three points against Southampton on the opening weekend.
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Wilfried Zaha got Crystal Palace off to a flyer in the Premier League seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
How Man Utd could line up against Crystal Palace on Saturday as Solskjaer faces being without ELEVEN players
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
