- An injury-hit United lost 4-0 to Palace late last season to put pressure on Ten Hag
- The Red Devils had a tough start to the season but have won now twice in a row
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United‘s thrashing at Crystal Palace in May won’t have any bearing on Saturday’s clash between the two sides at Selhurst Park.
An injury-hit United suffered a 4-0 defeat that plunged Ten Hag’s future into doubt before winning the FA Cup three weeks later persuaded co-owners Ineos to keep him in charge.
But the Dutchman returns to South London with a significantly stronger squad and on a high after back-to-back wins against Southampton and Barnsley by an aggregate score of 10-0.
Palace, in contrast, have yet to win in four Premier League games this season and Ten Hag is expecting a very different game.
Asked if the previous meeting has played on his mind, he replied: ‘No, definitely not. It was clear it was a 4-0, totally deserved but Saturday will be different.
Erik ten Hag has insisted that Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat by Crystal Palace last season will have no impact on this weekend’s fixture
United suffered the heavy defeat last season as pressure started to build on Ten Hag’s position
Now, United are looking to build on back-to-back wins after a difficult start to the campaign
‘You can’t compare. We know it is always tough there, always aggressive, but we also know the circumstances. We didn’t have a fit squad, we had one or two players up to 20 per cent to play, and this time is totally different. We have a fit squad and definitely have 18 players to go into this good challenge for us.
‘The circumstances in that moment, from February on we had to find every time 11 players to construct a team and now we are in a different place. We have 18 players and we can pick a team.’
